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CHARLES A. GOODKICH'S 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 



FOR 



SCHOOLS. 







{- 




THE ARMS OP THE UNITED STATES, 
AND OF THE SEVERAL STATES OF THE AMERICAN UNION. 



HISTORY 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 



ON A PLAN 



ADAPTED TO THE CAPACITY OF YOUTH, 

AND DESIGNED 

TO AID THE MEMORY BY SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT AND 
INTERESTING ASSOCIATIONS. 

_ 

BT 

CHARLES A. GOODRICH. 

— , 

ILLUSTRATED BY ENGRAVINGS AND COLORED MAPS. 

TO WHICH ARE ADDED 

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, 

AND 

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 

REVISED FROM FORMER EDITIONS, 
AND BROUGHT DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME. 

BOSTON: : ' 
HICKLING, SWAN AND BREWER. 
CLEVELAND : INGHAM & BRAGG. 
1859. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1862, by 

CHARLES A. GOODRICH, 

to the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachuaett*. 



INDEX TO MAPS. 

No. 1, MEXICO, GUATLMALA, AND WEST INDIA ISLANDS, . faces p. 14 

No. 2, EASTERN STATES, M " 36 

No. 3, CANADA, NEWFOUNDLAND, NEW BRUNSWICK, NOVA 

SCOTIA, &c u « 66 

No. 4, MIDDLE STATES, "134 

No. 6, SOUTHERN AND WESTERN STATES, » " 172 

No. •, MEXICO, " " *H 






PREFACE. 

The School History herewith presented to the public has under- 
gone such alterations as nearly to justify the announcement of it 
as a new work. The original division into periods, however, has 
been retained ; the experience of teachers, for more than twenty 
years, having decided that, in this respect, it scarcely admits of 
improvement. And, in confirmation of the correctness of this 
judgment, it may be stated that every School History of the United 
States, published since the date of Goodrich's first edition, has been 
written, without exception, it is believed, upon the same general 
plan ; and, in some instances, so nearly identical with his, as in 
the estimation of some to justify a question of legality. 

The following are the principal alterations and improvements 
now introduced : 

1. Upon the recommendation of an experienced teacher, the two 
sizes of type used in former editions are dispensed with ; and all 
matters by way of explanation, or in respect to which simply 
reading is deemed sufficient, are reduced to notes. 

2. The individual and separate history of the several colonies 
founded prior to the " French and Indian "War,"-' declared in 1756, 
is given to that period ; and thence unitedly, as their histories 
fr jm that time naturally blend together. 

3. As to chronology, the New ^tyle has been adopted in relation 
to all events prior to 1751, the time when the English Parliament; 
adopted the Gregorian reformation. 

4. A manifest improvement the author thinks he has made in 
his mode of treating the several administrations ; namely, by giving 
the pupil an early and distinct entmeration of the principal events 
by which each one was distinguished. 

5. The author anticipates the approbation of intelligent and 
experienced teachers for one feature of the work, if for no other, — 
the omission of minor events, which would serve to embarrass and 

:.rage the pupil, while an attempt is made to give due promi- 
nence to such events as are of obvious importance, and which 
should be firmly riveted in the memory. This want of discrimina- 
:i'jn has often sadly marred our historical school-books. 

. A series of questions is now appended to the volume. It h 
scarcely necessary to add — what eveiy author ha3 found a source 
of no small perplexity — that, in regard to the date of numerous 
events in our history, authorities differ, and so widely, some- 
times, as to render it difficult, if not impossible, to determine the 
precise truth. Should positive errors be discovered, the author will 
esteem it a favor to be informed, that the needful corrections maj 
be made. ^ . ~ 

Hartford, 1852. ChaRLES A ' Goodrich - 

1* 



INTRODUCTION. 

The study of History presents the following advantages : 

1. It sets before us striking instances of virtue, enterprise, courage, 
generosity, patriotism ; and, by a natural principle of emulation, in- 
cites us to copy such noble examples. History also presents us with 
pictures of the vicious ultimately overtaken by misery and shame, and 
thus solemnly warns us against vice. 

2. History, to use the words of Professor Tytler, is the school of 
politics. That is, it opens the hidden springs of human affairs ; the 
causes of the rise, grandeur, revolutions and fall of empires ; it points 
out the influence which the manners of a people exert upon a govern- 
ment, and. the influence which that government reciprocally exerts upon 
the manners of a people ; it illustrates the blessings of political union, 
and the miseries of faction, — the dangers of unbridled liberty, and the 
mischiefs of despotic power. 

3. History displays the dealings of God with mankind. It calls 
upon us often to regard with awe his darker judgments ; and, again, it 
awakens the liveliest emotions of gratitude for his kind and benignant 
dispensations. It cultivates a sense of dependence on him, strength- 
ens our confidence in his benevolence, and impresses us with a convh> 
tion of his justice. 

4. Besides these advantages, the study of History, if properly con- 
ducted, offers others, — of inferior importance, indeed, but still not to 
be disregarded. It chastens the imagination, improves the taste, fur- 
nishes matter for reflection, enlarges the range of thought, strengthens 
and disciplines the mind. 

5. To the above it may be added, that the History of the United 
States should be studied, 1. Because it is the history of our own coun- 
try. 2. Because it is the history of the first civil government ever 
established upon the genuine basis of freedom. 3. Because it furnishes 
lessons upon the science of civil government, social happiness, and 
religious freedom, of greater value than are to be found in the history 
of any other nation on the globe. 4. Because it presents uncommon 
examples of the influence of religious principle. 5. Because an ac- 
quaintance with it will enable a person better to fulfil those duties 
Which, in a free government, he may be called to discharge. 



GENERAL DIVISION. 



The History of the United States of America may be divided 
into Sixteen Periods, each distinguished by some striking char- 
acteristic, or remarkable circumstance. 

Period First extends from the Discovery of America by 
Columbus, 1492, to the first permanent English settlement in 
America, at Jamestown, Virginia, 1607, and is distinguished 
for Discoveries. 

Period Second extends from the Settlement of Jamestown to 
the " French and Indian War," 1756, and is distinguished for 
Settlements. 

Period Third extends from the French and Indian War, 
1756, to the commencement of the American Revolution, in the 
Battle of Lexington, 1775, and is distinguished for the French 
and Indian War. 

Period Fourth extends from the Battle of Lexington, 1775, 
to the disbanding of the American Army at West Point, Now 
York, 17>:3. and is distinguished for the War of the Revolu- 
tion. 

Period Fifth extends from the Disbanding of the Army, 
1783, to the Inauguration of George Washington as President 
of the United State.-, under the Federal Constitution, 1789, and 
is distinguished for the Formation and Establishment of the 
Federal Constitution. 

Period Sixth extends from the Inauguration of President 
Washington, 1789, to the Inauguration of John Adams, 1707, 
und is distinguished for Washington's Administration. 

Pertod Seventh extends from the Inauguration of President 
Adams, 1797, to the Inauguration of Thomas Jefferson, 1S01, 
and is distinguished for Adams' Administration. 



8 GENERAL DIVISION. 

Period Eighth extends from the Inauguration of President 
Jefferson, 1801, to the Inauguration of James Madison, 1809, 
and is distinguished for Jefferson's Administration. 

Period Ninth extends from the Inauguration of President 
Madison, 1809, to the Inauguration of James Monroe, 1817, and 
is distinguished for Madison's Administration, and the late 
War with Great Britain. 

Period Tenth extends from the inauguration of President 
Monroe, 1817, to the Inauguration of John Quincy Adams, 
1825, and is distinguished for Monroe's Administration. 

Period Eleventh extends from the Inauguration of President 
Adams, 1825, to the Inauguration of Andrew Jackson, 1829, 
and is distinguished for Adams' Administration. 

Period Twelfth extends from the Inauguration of President 
Jackson, 1829, to the Inauguration of Martin Van Buren, 1837, 
and is distinguished for Jackson's Administration. 

Period Thirteenth extends from the Inauguration of Presi- 
dent Van Buren, 1837, to the Inauguration of William Henry 
Harrison, 1841, and is distinguished for Van Buren's Adminis- 
tration. 

Period Fourteenth extends from the Inauguration of Presi- 
dent Harrison, 1841, to the Inauguration of James K. Polk, 
1845, and is distinguished for Harrison and Tyler's Adminis- 
trations. 

Period Fifteenth extends from the Inauguration of Presi- 
dent Polk, 1845, to the Inauguration of Zachary Taylor, 1849, 
and is distinguished for Polk's Administration. 

Period Sixteenth extends from the Inauguration of Presi- 
dent Taylor, 1849, to the Inauguration of Franklin Pierce, 
1853, and is distinguished for Taylor and Fillm ore's 
Administration. 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD I. 

DISTINGUISHED FOR DISCOVERIES. 

EXTENDING FROM THE DISCOVERY OF SAN SALVA- 
DOR BY COLUMBUS, 1492, TO THE FIRST PERMANFN1 
ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, AT JAMESTOWN, VIRGINIA, 
1607. 

1. Columbus. — 1. The honor of first making known to tho 
Inhabitants of Europe the existence of a Western Continent 
belongs to Spain, as a nation, and to Christopher Columbus, a 
native of Genoa, as an individual.^ 

2. Columbus was born about the year 1435 or 1436. His 
father was a reputable and meritorious man ; by occupation, a 
wool-comber, long resident in the city of Genoa. Columbus was 

* Previous to the discovery of America, several of the nations of Europe 
had long been engaged in attempting to find a passage to India by water. 
The rich merchandise of that country, before the discovery of the passage 
around the Cape of Good Hope, by the Portuguese, m 1497, had been con- 
veyed to Europe over the Red Sea, and across the Isthmus of Suez ; thence 
over the Mediterranean Sea to the different parts of Europe ; and it was to 
find an easier passage that Columbus made his voyage of discovery. 

After the discovery had been made, other nations laid claim to this honor; 
and thus attempted to deprive the Genoese navigator, as well xs the Spanish 
nation, of the merit to which they were justly entitled. 

The only nations, however, which appear to have had even the semblance 
for such a claim, were the Welsh and Norwegians. 

In regard to the Welsh, no well-founded claim appears to exist, beyond the 
discovery and attempted settlement of the islands in the Atlantic called tho 
Azores; and even these are doubtful. There is stronger reason for believing 
that the Northmen, in the beginning of the 10th century, discovered New- 
foundland or Labrador, and even visited the shores of Rhode Island and 



10 PERIOD I. — 1492— 1607. — DISCOVERIES. 

the eldest of four children, having two brothers, Bartholomew 
and Diego, and one sister. His early education was limited \ 
but he diligently improved the advantages which the means of 
his father enabled him to enjoy. After spending a short time 
at the University of Pavia, he returned to his father, whom he 
assisted in wool-combing. His enterprising disposition, however, 
prompted him to more active employment ; and, at the age of 
fourteen years, we find him entering upon a seafaring life. 

3. Having spent some time in the service of a distant relation, 
who followed the seas, he repaired to Lisbon. He was at this 
time about thirty-four years of age ; a tall, well-formed, vigorous 
man ; enterprising in his disposition, and uncommonly dignified 
in his manners. Taking up his residence, for a time, at Lisbon, 
he became acquainted with and married the daughter of a dis- 
tinguished navigator, Bartholomew Perestrello, the former gov- 
ernor of Porto Santo, an island in the vicinity of Madeira. 

4. The fiither of his wife being dead, Columbus resided with 
his mother-in-law, who gave him the privilege of examining the 
charts and journals of her deceased husband. These made 
Columbus acquainted with many facts and suggestions touching 
the enterprise in which the Portuguese were engaged, namely, 
the discovery of a passage to the East Indies, by doubling the 
southern extremity of Africa. 

5. To a mind like that of Columbus, this subject was invested 
with the deepest interest ; and the more he read and reflected 
upon the figure of the earth, the stronger was his belief, not 
only that a western passage to India was practicable, but that 
a large body of land lay west of the Atlantic, designed to bal- 
ance the lands lying in the eastern hemisphere. 

6. In this latter opinion he was strengthened by various dis- 
coveries in the Atlantic, such as pieces of carved wood, and 
trunks of huge pine-trees, which had been noticed, after long 
westerly winds ; but, especially, by the well-established fact, that 
the bodies of two men had been cast upon one of the Azores 
Islands, whose features differed from those of any known race of 
people. 

7. Having matured the plan of a voyage, with the above 
object in view, he first offered to sail under the patronage of his 
countrymen, the Genoese ; but they rejected his proposal. He 

Massachusetts. It is claimed, also, that they attempted to colonize^ the 
country. While there is no certain record of these events, historical writers 
treat the claims in favor of the Northmen with respect. But these cannot 
detract from the honor of the great Genoese navigator. His was a discovery 
not of chance, but of calculation. 



COLUMBUS.— HIS PLANS AND EFFORTS. ll 

next applied to the Portuguese. The king and his advisers, 
however, long detained him ; and, meanwhile, availing them- 
selves of his explanations, secretly despatched a vessel to make 
the proposed discovery, but without success. Thus being disap- 
pointed in this application also, and despairing of assistance 
from Henry VII. of England, — to whom he had sent his brother 
Bartholomew, but who, being captured by pirates, did not reach 
England for some time, — he next repaired to Spain. 

8. By what route, or by what means, Columbus reached 
Spain, is uncertain. The first trace we have of him in this 
country is as a stranger, on foot, and in humble guise, stopping 
at the gate of the convent of Santa Maria de llabida, not far 
from the little seaport of Palos, and asking of the porter a little 
bread and water for a child, — his son Diego, whom his deceased 
wife had left to him. While receiving this humble refresh- 
ment, the prior of the convent, happening to pass by, was struck 
with the appearance of the stranger ; and observing, from his air 
and accent, that he was a foreigner, entered into conversation 
with him, and soon learned the particulars of his story, and 
entered warmly into his views and plans. Through the prior's 
influence, the enterprising navigator was enabled to lay his plans 
before Ferdinand and Isabella, then on the united thrones of 
Castile and Arragon. 1 ^ 

9. For a time, these sovereigns were deaf to his application ; 
but, at length, the queen undertook the enterprise, in behalf of 
the crown of Castile ; and, to defray the expense of the outfit 
and voyage, offered to part with her royal jewels. The necessary 
funds being thus provided, a fleet, consisting of three small 
vessels, was soon ready for the voyage. Two of these were light 
barks, called caravals, not superior to river and coasting craft 
of more modern days. These were open, without deck in the 
centre, but built high at the prow and stern, with forecastles 
and cabins for the accommodation of the crew. The names of 
these vessels were the Pinta and Nina. The ship of Columbus, 
the Santa Maria, was decked, and of larger dimensions. On 

* Spain, which had long been in possession of the Romans, was invaded 
by the Vandals, and other tribes from the north, in the 5th century; these 
tribes were subdued by the Visigoths, or Western Goths. During the 8th 
century, the Moors or Saracens invaded and conquered a great part of the 
country; but the Goths retained a portion, and afterwards founded several 
distinct kingdoms, the most considerable of which were Castile and Leon, 
Arragon and Navarre. In 14.9G, Ferdinand, King of Arragon, married Isa* 
bella, Queen of Castile and Leon, and thus they united the two kingdoms. 
Navarre was subsequently conquered in 1521, and Spain was thus formed, 
into one monarchy. 



12 PERIOD I. — 1492— 1607. — DISCOVERIES. 

hoard this fleet were ninety mariners, together with various pri« 
vate adventurers, — in all, on i hundred and twenty persons. 

10. On Friday, the 13th of August, 1492, the squadron of 
Columbus set sail from Palos, steering in a south-westerly direc- 
tion for the Canary Islands, whence it was his intention to strike 
due west. 

11. Passing over many incidents in their outward voyage, — 
the storms and tempests which they encountered — the delusive 
appearances of land — their hopes and their fears — their excite- 
ment, and then their dejection — the murmurs, and even nnitin* 
ous spirit, of the crew, and the happy expedients of Columbus to 
raise their courage, and to keep burning within them the spirit 
of the enterprise, — we arrive at the 20th of October, at which 
time the indications of land were so strong, that, at night, Co- 
lumbus ordered a double watch on the forecastle of each vessel, 
and promised to the first discoverer of the long-looked-for land 
a doublet of velvet, in addition to the pension of thirty crowns 
which had been offered by Ferdinand and Isabella. 

12. The greatest animation now prevailed throughout the 
ships ; not an eye was closed that night. As evening darkened, 
Columbus took his station on the top of the castle or cabin, on 
the high poop of his vessel. However he might carry a cheerful 
and confident countenance during the day, it was to him a time 
of the most painful anxiety. And now, when wrapped by the 
shades of night from observation, he maintained an intense and 
unremitting watch. Suddenly, about ten o'clock, he beheld, he 
thought, a light glimmering at a distance. Fearing that his 
hopes might deceive him, he called to Pedro Gutierrez, gentle- 
man of the king's bed-chamber, and demanded whether he saw 
a light in that direction ; the latter replied in the affirmative. 

13. Columbus, yet doubtful, called Roderigo Sanchez, of 
Segovia, and made the inquiry. By the time the latter had 
ascended the round-house, the light had disappeared. They saw 
it once or twice afterwards, in sudden and passing gleams, as if 
it were a torch in the bark of a fisherman, rising and sinking 
with the waves. So transient and uncertain were these gleams, 
that few attached any importance to them. Columbus, however, 
considered them as certain signs of land ; and, moreover, that the 
land was inhabited. 

14. They continued their course until two in the morning, 
when a gun from the Pinta gave the joyful signal of land. It 
was first descried by a mariner, named Roderigo de Friana ; but 
the reward was afterwards adjudged to the admiral, for having 
previously perceived the light. The land was now clearly seen 



DISCOVERY OF SAN SALVADOR. 



13 



ftbout two leagues distant ; whereupon they took in sail, and laid 
to, waiting impatiently for the dawn. 

15. The morning at length arrived, — October 12th, or N. S. 
October 21, — and before the delighted Spaniards lay a level and 
beautiful island, called by the natives Guanahanj, but to which 
Columbus gave the name of San Salvador. This island, known 
on English maps by the name of Cat Island, was several leagues 
in extent, of great freshness and verdure, and was covered with 
trees, like a continual orchard. 




16. Columbus, in a rich dress, and with a drawn sword, soon 
after landed with his men, with whom, having kneeled and kissed 
the ground with tears of joy, he took possession of the island, in 
the name of Queen Isabella, his patron. On landing, the Span- 
iards were surprised to find a race of people quite unlike any 
that they had ever seen before. They were of a dusky copper- 
color, naked, beardless, with long black hair, floating on their 
shoulders, or bound in tresses round their heads. The natives 
were still more surprised at the sight of the Spaniards, whom 
they considered as the children of the sun, their idol. The ships 
they looked upon as animals, with eyes of lightning and voices 
of thunder. 

17. Having spent some time in an examination of this island, 
he proceeded to visit several others not far distant ; and at 
length, on the 7th of November, came in sight of the Island of 

2 



14 PERIOD I.— 1492— 1007. — DISCOVERIES. 

Cuba, and not long after fell in with the Island of Hispaniola, oi 
San Domingo. 

18. Having spent some time in examining the country, and 
in traffic with the natives, Columbus set sail on his return. He 
was overtaken by a tremendous storm ; during which he enclosed 
in a cake of wax a short account of his voyage and discovery, 
which he put into a tight cask, and threw it into the sea, hoping 
that, if he perished, it might fall into the hands of some navi- 
gator, or be cast ashore, and thus the knowledge of his discovery 
be preserved to the world. But the skrm abated, and he 
arrived safe in Spain, March, 1493. 

19. For this discovery, which laid the foundation for all sub- 
sequent discoveries in America, Columbus was entitled to the 
honor of giving name to the New World. But he was robbed 
of it by the address of Americus Vespucius. This adventurer 
was a Florentine, who sailed to the New World in 1499, with 
one Alonzo Ojeda, who had accompanied Columbus in his first 
voyage. On his return, he published so flattering an account of 
his voyage, that his name was given to the continent, with man-" 
ifest injustice to Columbus. 

20. After this, Columbus made a second and third voyage ; 
in the latter of which he discovered the continent, near the mouth 
of the river Orinoco. This was August 10th, 1498. Yet he 
was ignorant, at the time, that the land in question was anything 
more than an island. 

21. During this third voyage, Columbus was destined to expe- 
rience severe afflictions. After his departure from Spain, having 
been appointed governor of the New World, his enemies, by false 
representations, persuaded the king to appoint another in his place. 
At the same time, the king was induced to give orders that Co- 
lumbus should be seized and sent to Spain. This order was exe- 
cuted with rigid severity ; and the heroic Columbus returned to 
Spain in irons ! 

22. On his arrival, he was set at liberty by the king ; but he 
never recovered his authority. Soon after his return from a 
fourth voyage, finding Isabella, his patroness, dead, and' himself 
neglected, he sunk beneath his misfortunes and infirmities, and 
expired at Valladolid on the 30th of May, 1506, or 1507. His 
last words were, "Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my 
spirit." 

23. The body of Columbus was deposited in the convent of 
St. Francisco, but was afterwards removed to a monastery at 
Seville, where, for a time, it rested, with the remains of his son, 
Diego. The bodies of both, however, were afterwards removed 



VOYAGES OF THE CABOTS. 15 

to Hispaniola, and here again disinterred, and conveyed to Ha- 
vana, in the island of Cuba, where in peace they now repose. 

24. We shall conclude this notice of the great pioneer to this 
western world, in the eloquent language of the author to 
whom we have been indebted for the principal incidents in 
the life of this illustrious man.^ " He (Columbus) died in 
ignorance of the real grandeur of his discovery. Until his last 
breath, he entertained the idea that he had merely opened a new 
way to the old resorts of opulent commerce, and had discovered 
some of the wild regions of the East. He supposed Hispaniola 
to be the ancient Ophir, which had been visited by the ships of 
Solomon ; and that Cuba and Terra Firma were but remote parts 
3f Asia. What visions of glory would have broken upon his 
<nind, could he have known that he had indeed discovered a new 
continent, equal to the whole of the old world in magnitude, and 
leparated by two vast oceans from all the earth hitherto known 
by civilized man ! " 

II. John Cabot. — When the discovery of Columbus was 
announced, the civilized nations of Europe became eager to share 
with Spain the honors and advantages of further discoveries in the 
New World. As early as May, 1497, John Cabot, a Venetian 
by birth, but then a resident in England, accompanied by his son, 
Sebastian, a young man, sailed under the patronage t of Henry 
VII., King of England, on a voyage of discovery; and on the 
24th of June 0. S., or July 3d N. S., fell in with land, to 
which he gave the name of Prima Vista (First Seen), and 
which, until a recent date, was judged to be the Island of New- 
foundland, but which is now believed to have been the coast of 
Labrador. During this same voyage, however, it is thought he 
discovered the Island of Newfoundland ; immediately following 
which, elated with his success, he returned to England. 

III. Sebastian Cabot. — In 1498, Sebastian Cabot, in com- 
pany with three hundred men, made a second voyage ; during 
which he explored the continent from Labrador to Virginia, and, 
according; to some authorities, to Florida. After several other 
voyages, he returned to England, during the reign of Edward 
VI., and, as a reward for his eminent services, was created 
Grand Pilot of the kingdom. 

IV. John Verrazani. — 1. The French attempted no dis- 



* Irving's Columbus. 

f The commission granted Cabot is the oldest American state paper ot 
England, bearing date March 5, 0. S. 149G, although he did not sail till the 
year following » 



16 PERIOD I. — 1492— 1607. — DISCOVERIES. 

coveries on the American coast until 1524. But this year, John 
Verrazani, a Florentine navigator of celebrity, sailed with a 
squadron of four ships, fitted out by Francis I. Of these ships, 
three were soon compelled to return, and Verrazani proceeded 
with a single vessel. 

2. He reached the American coast about the latitude of Wil- 
mington, Delaware, whence, after a southern exploration, h6 
proceeded northerly, along the coast, landing at several points in 
New Jersey and New York, as interest or curiosity prompted. 
Near New York the voyagers kidnapped and bore away an 
Indian child. In Newport harbor, Rhode Island, Verrazani 
anchored for fifteen days, whence he proceeded north, exploring 
the coast as far as Newfoundland. To the whole region thus 
discovered by him he gave the name of New France, which, 
however, was afterwards applied only to Canada, and which 
name it held while in possession of the French. 

3. The following year, this enterprising navigator, during a 
second voyage to America, by means of some unknown disaster, 
was lost, with all his crew. 

V. James Cartier. — 1. In 1534, James Cartier, under a 
commission from the King of France, made a voyage to America, 
in which he visited the Island of Newfoundland, and discovered 
the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The following year, during a second 
voyage, he proceeded up the Gulf of St. Lawrence, to the Isle 
of Orleans, and thence as far as Montreal. Here he found a 
large Indian settlement, by the inhabitants of which he was well 
treated. This Indian settlement was called Hochelaga. Car- 
tier gave it the name of Mount Royal, from a mountain in the 
neighborhood. From this circumstance the island and city of 
Montreal derive their name. He spent the winter at the Isle 
of Orleans, and in the spring returned to France. 

2. In 1540, Cartier again visited America, with the intention 
of forming a settlement. He built a fort at some distance from 
the Isle of Orleans ; but, in the following spring, not having 
received anticipated supplies, he set sail, to return to France 
with his colony. At Newfoundland, he met with three ships 
and two hundred persons, on their way to the new settlement. 
Cartier proceeded on his voyage to France. The other ships 
continued their course to the fort which Cartier had left. After 
passing a distressing winter, the whole party, abandoning the 
settlement, in the spring returned to France. 

VI. Ferdinand de Soto. — 1. In the spring of 1.541, six 
years from the discovery of the river St. Lawrence, another 
equally important river — the Mississippi — was discovered 



THE MISSISSIPPI DISCOVERED. 17 

This honor belongs to Ferdinand de Soto, a Spaniard, who, hav- 
ing projected the conquest of Florida from the natives, arrived 
from Cuba, 1539, with a considerable force. He traversed the 
country to a great distance, and, in the spring of 1541, first 
discovered the Mississippi, five or six hundred miles from its 
mouth. 

2. The object of Soto, in traversing so wide an extent of 
country, appears to have been to search for gold. The summer 
and winter of 1539 he spent in Florida. In 1540, he began his 
tour north-east, and, having crossed the Altamaha, Savannah, 
and Ogechee rivers, he turned westerly, and, crossing the Alle- 
ghanies, proceeded southwardly as far as Mobile and Pensacola. 
The winter of this year he spent with the Chickasaws. The 
following spring, he made the important discovery above men- 
tioned. 

3. The next year, 1542, Soto died on the banks of the Mis- 
sissippi river, May 21, in the bosom of whose waters he was 
buried. Under the guidance of a successor whom Soto had 
appointed, his followers wandered about the country, in an inef- 
fectual effort to penetrate to Mexico. During these wander- 
ings, they once more came upon the Mississippi, a short distance 
above lied river. Here they encamped, and proceeded to build 
several large boats, on which they embarked, July 1 2th, 1543, 
and in seventeen days reached the Gulf of Mexico ; whence con- 
tinuing their voyage, in the following September they reached a 
Spanish settlement at the mouth of the river Panuco, in Mexico. 

VII. Sir Walter Raleigh. — 1. In 1584, Sir Walter 
Raleigh, under a commission from Queen Elizabeth of England, 
despatched two small vessels, commanded by Amidas and Bar- 
low, to the American coast.* On their arrival, they entered 
Pamlico Sound, now in North Carolina, and thence proceeded to 
Roanoke, an island near the mouth of Albemarle Sound. Here 

* Previously to the above voyage, under the auspices of Sir "Walter 
Raleigh, two unfortunate attempts had been made by his brother-in-law, 
Sir Humphrey Gilbert, to effect a settlement in the New World. Both, how- 
ever, proved ineffectual; and during the last, while Sir Humphrey was 
returning to England, his vessel was shipwrecked, and all on board perished 
Not discouraged by the unfortunate issue -of the enterprises of Gilbert, 
Ealeigh fitted out rn expedition, as we have above stated, in 1584. The 
report brought back by Amidas and Barlow induced Sir Walter, in 1585, to 
attempt a settlement at the Island of Roanoke. This colony was, in a short 
time, reduced to great distress, and, in 1586, returned with Sir Francia 
Drake to England. The following year, however, another colony was sent 
out, consisting of one hundred and fifty adventurers. These, most unfortu- 
nately, were ne^ected, in respect to supplies, and when, at length, a vessel 
was despatched to inquire into their state, not a vestige of them remained 

2* 






18 PERIOD I. — 1492— 1607. — DISCOVERIES 

they spent several weeks in trafficking with the natives, but 
effected no settlement. On their return to England, they gave 
so splendid a description of the beauty and fertility of the coun- 
try, that Elizabeth bestowed upon it the name of Virginia, as a 
memorial that the happy discovery had been made under a virgin 
queen. 

VIII. Bartholomew Gosnold. — 1. In 1602, Bartholo- 
mew Gosnold, in a voyage from Falmouth to the northern part 
of Virginia, discovered the promontory in Massachusetts Bay, 
which, since his time, has been known by the name of Cape Cod, 
from the circumstance of his taking a great number of cod-fish 
at that place. 

2. Gosnold was the first Englishman who, abandoning the 
circuitous route by the Canaries and West Indies, came in a 
direct course to this part of the American continent. He was 
but seven weeks in making the passage. After the discovery of 
Cape Cod, coasting south-west, he discovered two islands, one of 
which he named .Martha's Vineyard, and the other Elizabeth 
Island. On the western part of this latter island it was concluded 
to settle, and a fort and storehouse were accordingly erected ; 
but, before Gosnold left the place, discontents arising among 
those who were to form the colony, it was thought expedient to 
abandon the settlement, and to return to England. The home- 
ward voyage occupied but five weeks. ^ 

IX. State of the Country. — 1. As we are now about to 
enter upon a period which will exhibit our ancestors as inhabit- 
ants of this New World, it will be interesting to know what was 
its aspect, when they first landed upon its shores. 

2. North America was almost one unbroken wilderness. From 
the recesses of these forests were heard the panther, the cata- 
mount, the bear, the wild-cat, the wolf, and other beasts of prey. 
From the thickets rushed the buffalo, the elk, the moose, and 
the carrabo ; and, scattered on the mountains and plains, were 
seen the stag and fallow deer. Numerous flocks of the feathered 
tribe enlivened the air, and multitudes of fish filled the rivers, or 
glided along the shores. The spontaneous productions of the 
soil, also, were found to be various and abundant. In all parts 
of the land grew grapes, which historians have likened to the 
ancient grapes of Eshcol. In the south were found mulberries, 

* There were various other voyages of discovery undertaken by navigat 
ors, previous to the settlement of North America; but the foregoing are the 
principal which relate to the history we are proposing to write. An account 
of others, while out of place in these pages, would serve or.iy to oppress th« 
memory of our pupils. 



M 



THE ABORIGINES — THEIR ARTS — LANGUAGE. 19 

plums, melons, cucumbers, tobacco, corn, peas, beans, potatoes, 
squashes, pumpions, &c. Acorns, walnuts, chestnuts, wild cher- 
ries, currants, strawberries, whortleberries, in the season of them, 
grew wild in every quarter of the country. 

X. Aborigines. — 1. The country was inhabited by numer- 
ous tribes or clans of Indians. Of their number, at the period 
the English settled among them, no certain estimate has been 
transmitted to us. They did not probably much' exceed one 
hundred and fifty thousand within the compass of the thirteen 
original states.^ 

2. In their physical character, the different Indian tribes, 
within the boundaries of the United States, were nearly the same. 
Their persons were tall, straight, and well proportioned. Their 
skins were red, or of a copper brown ; their eyes black ; their 
hair long, black, and coarse. In constitution, they were firm 
and vigorous, capable of sustaining great fatigue and hardship. 

3. As to their general character, they were quick of appre- 
hension, and not wanting in genius. At times they were friendly, 
and even courteous. In council, they were distinguished for 
gravity and eloquence ; in war, for bravery and address. When 
provoked to anger, they were sullen and retired ; and when 
determined upon revenge, no danger would deter them, — neither 
absence nor time could cool them. If captured by an enemy, 
they never asked life ; nor would they betray emotions of fear, 
even in view of the tomahawk or of the kindling fagot. 

4. They had no books or written literature, except rude hiero- 
glyphics ; and education among them was confined to the arts of 
war, hunting, fishing, and the few manufactures which existed 
among them, in most of which every male was more or less instruct- 
ed. Their language was rude, but sonorous, metaphorical, and 
energetic, and well suited to the purposes of public speaking. 
Their arts and manufactures were confined to the construction 
of wigwams, bows and arrows, wampum, ornaments, stone hatch- 
ets, mortars for pounding corn ; to the dressing of skins, weav- 
ing of coarse mats from the bark of trees, or a coarse sort of 
hemp, &c. 

5. Their agriculture was small in extent, and the articles they 
cultivated were few in number. Corn, beans, peas, potatoes, 
melons, and a few others of a similar kind, were all. Their skill 
in medicine was confined to a few simple prescriptions and opera- 
tions. Both the cold and warm bath were often applied, and a 
considerable number of plants were used with success. For soma 



* This is the estimate of Dr. Trumbull. 



20 



PERIOD I. — 1492— 1607. — DISCOVERIES. 



diseases they knew no remedy ; in which case they resorted to 
their powow, or priest, who undertook the removal of the diseaso 
by means of sorcery. It may be remarked, however, that the 
diseases to which the Indians were liable were few, compared 
with those which prevail in civilized society. 

6. The employments of the men were principally hunting, 
fishing, and war. The women dressed the food, took charge of 
the domestic concerns, tilled their narrow and scanty fields, and 
performed almost all the drudgery connected with their house- 
hold affairs. 

7. The amusements of the men were principally leaping, 
shooting at marks, dancing, gaming, and hunting, in all of which 
they made the most violent exertions. Their dances were usually 
performed round a large fire. In their war-dances they sung 
or recited the feats which they or their ancestors had achieved ; 
represented the manner in which they were performed, and 
wrought themselves up to an inexpressible degree of martial 
enthusiasm. The females occasionally joined in some of these 
sports, but had none peculiar to themselves. 

8. Their dress was various. In summer they wore little 
besides a covering about the waist ; but in winter they clothed 




themselves in the skins of wild beasts. They were exceedingly 
fond of ornaments. On days of show and festivity, their sachems 
Wore mantles of deer-skin, embroidered with white beads or cop* 



ABORIGINES — HABITATIONS — FOOD. 2 1 

per ; or they were painted with various devices. Hideousnesa 
was the object aimed at in painting themselves. A chain of 
fish-bones about the neck, or the skin of a wild-cat, was the sign 
of royalty. 

9. For habitations, the Indians had weekwams, or wigwams, 
as pronounced by the English. These originally consisted of a 
strong pole, erected in the centre, around which, at the distance 
of ten or twelve feet, other poles were driven obliquely into the 
ground, and fastened to the centre pole at the top. Their cover- 
ings were of mats, or barks of trees, well adjusted, so as to ren- 
der them dry and comfortable. 

10. Their domestic utensils extended not j."*yond a hatchet of 
stone, a few shells and sharp stones which they used for knives, 
stone mortars for pounding corn, and some mats and skins, upon 
which they slept. They sat, and ate, and lodged, on the ground. 
With shells and stones they scalped their enemies, dressed their 
game, cut their hair, &c. They made nets of thread twisted 
from the bark of Indian hemp, or of the sinews of the moose and 
deer. For fish-hooks, they used bones which were bent. 

11. Their food was of the coarsest, and simplest kind, — the 
flesh, and even the entrails, of all kinds of wild beasts and birds ; 
and, in their proper season, green corn, beans, peas, &c. &c, 
which they cultivated, and other fruits, which the country spon- 
taneously produced. Flesh and fish they roasted on a stick, or 
broiled on the fire. In some instances they boiled their meat 
and corn by putting hot stones in water. Corn they parched, 
especially in the winter ; and upon this they lived, in the absence 
of other food. 

12. The money of the Indians, called wampum, consisted of 
small beads wrought from shells, and strung on belts, and in 
chains. The wampum of the New England Indians was black, 
blue, and white. That of the Six Nations was of a purple color. 
Six of the white beads, and three of black or blue, became of the 
value of a penny. A belt of wampum was given as a token of 
friendship, or as a seal or confirmation of a treaty. 

13. There was little among them that could be called society. 
Except when roused by some strong excitement, the men were 
generally indolent, taciturn, and unsocial. The women were too 
degraded and oppressed to think of much besides their toils. 
Removing, too, as the seasons changed, or as the game grew 
scarce, or as danger from a stronger tribe threatened, there was 
little opportunity for forming those local attachments, and those 
social ties, which spring from a long residence in a particular spot. 
Female beauty had little power o\>er the men; and all other 



22 PERIOD I. — 1492— 1607. — DISCOVERIES. 

pleasures gave way to the strong impulses of public festivity, oi 
burning captives, or seeking murderous revenge, or the chase, or 
war, or glory. 

14. War was the favorite employment of the savages of North 
America. It roused them from the lethargy into which they 
fell when they ceased from the chase, and furnished them an 
opportunity to distinguish themselves, — to achieve deeds of 
glory, and taste the sweets of revenge. Their weapons were 
bows and arrows headed with flint or other hard stones, which 
they discharged with great precision and force. The southern 
Indians used targets made of bark ;« the Mohawks clothed them- 
selves with skins, as a defence against the arrows of their ene- 
mies. When they fought in the open field, they rushed to the 
attack with incredible fury ; and, at the same time, uttered their 
appalling war-whoop. Those whom they had taken captive they 
often tortured with every variety of cruelty, and to their dying 
agonies added every species of insult. If peace was concluded 
on, the chiefs of the hostile tribes ratified the treaty by smok- 
ing, in succession, the same pipe, called the calumet, or pipe of 
peace. 

15. The government of the Indians, in general, was an abso- 
lute monarchy, though it differed in different tribes. The will 
of the sachem was law. In matters of moment, he consulted his 
councillors ; but his decisions were final. War and peace, among 
some tribes, seem to have been determined on in a council formed 
of old men, distinguished by their exploits. When in council, 
they spoke at pleasure, and always listened to the speaker with 
profound and respectful silence. 

16. When propositions for war or peace were made, or 
treaties proposed to them by the colonial governors, they met 
the ambassadors in council, and, at the end of each paragraph or 
proposition, the principal* sachem delivered a short stick to ono 
of his council, intimating that it was his peculiar duty to remem- 
ber that paragraph. This was repeated, till every proposal was 
finished ; they then retired, to deliberate among themselves. 
After their deliberations were ended, the sachem, or some coun- 
cillors to whom he had delegated this office, replied to every par- 
agraph, in its turn, with an exactness scarcely exceeded in the 
written correspondence of civilized powers. Each man actually 
remembered what was committed to him, and, with his assist- 
ance, the person who replied remembered the whole. 

17. The religious notions of the natives consisted of traditions, 
mingled with many superstitions. Like the ancient Greeks, 
Romans, Persians, Hindoos, &c, they believed in the existence 



ABORIGINES— MARRIAGE— ORIGIN. 23 

jt two gods : the one good, who was the superior, and whom they 
styled the Great or Good Spirit ; the other, evil. They wor- 
shipped both ; and of both formed images of stone, to which they 
paid religious homage. Besides these, they worshipped various 
other deities, — fire, water, thunder, — anything which they con- 
ceived to be superior to themselves, and capable of doing them 
injury. The manner of worship was to sing and dance round 
large fires. Besides dancing, they offered prayers, and some- 
times sweet-scented powder. In Virginia, the Indians offered 
blood, deer's suet, and tobacco. Of the creation and the deluge 
they had distinct traditions. 

18. Marriage among them was generally a temporary con- 
tract. The men chose their wives agreeably to fancy, and put 
them away at pleasure. Marriage was celebrated, however, with 
some ceremony, and, in many instances, was observed with fidel- 
ity ; — not unfrequently it was as lasting as life. Polygamy was 
common among them. Their treatment of females was cruel 
and oppressive. They were considered by the men as slaves, 
and treated as such. Those forms of decorum between the sexes, 
which lay the foundation for the respectful and gallant courtesy 
with which women are treated in civilized society, were unknown 
among them. Of course, females were not only required to per- 
form severe labor, but often felt the full weight of the passions 
and caprices of the men. 

19. The rites of burial, among the Indians, varied but little 
throughout the continent. They generally dug holes in the 
ground, with sharpened stakes. In the bottom of the grave 
were laid sticks, upon which the corpse, wrapped in skins and 
mats, was deposited. The arms, utensils, paints, and ornaments 
of the deceased, were buried with him, and a mound of earth 
raised over his grave. Among some tribes in New England, and 
among the Five Nations, the dead were buried in a sitting pos- 
ture, with their faces towards the east. During the burial they 
uttered the most lamentable cries, and continued their mourning 
for several days. 

20. The origin of the Indians is involved in much obscurity. 
The opinion best supported is, that they originated in Asia, and 
that at some former period, not now to be ascertained, they emi- 
grated from that country to America, over which, in succeeding 
years, their descendants spread. This opinion is rendered the 
more probable by the fact, that the figure, complexion, dress, 
manners, customs, &c. &c, of the nations of both continents, are 
strikingly similar. That they might have emigrated from the 
fcaj?tern continent is evident, since, in latitude 66°, the two con- 



24 PERIOD I. — 1492— 1607. — DISCOVERIES. 

tinents are not more than forty miles distant from each other , 
and between them are two islands less than twenty miles distant 
from either shore. 

XI. Reflections. — 1. We shall find it pleasant and profit- 
able occasionally to pause in our history, and consider what 
instruction may be drawn from the portion of it that has been 
perused. In the story of Columbus, we are introduced to a man 
of genius, energy, and enterprise. We see him forming a new, 
and, in that age, a mighty project ; and, having matured his 
plan, we see him set himself vigorously about its execution. For 
a time he is either treated as a visionary or baffled by opposi- 
tion. But, neither discouraged nor dejected, he steadily pursues 
his purpose, surmounts every obstacle, and at length spreads his 
sails upon the unknown waters of the Atlantic. A kind Provi- 
dence auspiciously guides his way, and crowns his enterprise 
with the unexpected discovery of a new world. 

2. While we admire the lofty qualities of Columbus, and look 
with wonder at the consequences which have resulted from his 
discovery, let us emulate his decision, energy, and perseverance. 
Many are the occasions, in the present world, on which it will be 
important to summon these to our aid ; and by their means many 
useful objects may be accomplished, which, without them, would 
be unattained. But, while we thus press forward in the career 
of usefulness, while we aim to accomplish for our fellow-men all 
the amount of good in our power, let us moderate our expecta- 
tions of reward here, by the consideration that Columbus died the 
victim of ingratitude and disappointment. 

3. Another consideration, of still deeper interest, is suggested 
by the story of Columbus. We, who live to mark the wonder- 
ful events which have flowed from his discovery, within the 
short space of three centuries, cannot but advert with awe to 
Him who attaches to the actions of a single individual a train of 
consequences so stupendous and unexpected. How lightly soever, 
then, we may think of our conduct, let us remember that the 
invisible hand of Providence may be connecting with our small- 
est actions the most momentous results to ourselves and others. 
With respect to Americus Vespucius, it may be observed, that, 
although he deprived Columbus of the merited honor of giving 
his name to the New World, and gained this distinction for 
himself, still his name will ever remain stigmatized, as having 
appropriated that to himself which fairly belonged to another 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD II. 



DISTINGUISHED FOR SETTLEMENTS, 



E {TENDING FROM THE FIRST PERMANENT ENGLISH SETTLE 
MENT, AT JAMESTOWN, VIRGINIA, 1607, TO THE DECLARA 
TION OF WAR BY ENGLAND AGAINST FRANCE, 1756, CALLED 
"THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR." 

I. VIRGINIA. 

1. Prior to the year 1607, a period of one hundred and 
fifteen years from the discovery of San Salvador by Columbus 
several attempts were -made to effect settlements in various parts 




of North America ; but none had proved successful. In the 
month of May of this year, a colony from England, consisting 
of one husdred and five Dersons, arrived in Virginia; and, on 
3 



26 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756 —SETTLEMENTS. 

a beautiful peninsula in James river, began a settlement, whicl 
they called Jamestown. This was the first permanent settle 
ment effected by Europeans in the United States.^ 

2. This place was called Jamestown, in honor of James I. of 
England, who, in 1606, claiming the country lying between the 
34th and 45th degrees of north latitude, — that is N from tho 
mouth of Cape Fear river, one hundred and fifty miles north- 
east from Charleston, in South Carolina, to Halifax, the capital 
of Nova Scotia, — divided it into two nearly equal parts, and 
granted it to two companies, called the London! and Plym- 
outh $ Companies. The southern part, called South Virginia, 
he conveyed to the " London Company ;" and the northern part, 
called North Virginia, to the " Plymouth Company." 

3. The first settlement of Virginia was commenced under the 
auspices of the " London Company." The expedition was com- 
manded by Captain Christopher Newport ; but the government 
of the colony was framed in England, before it sailed. It was 
to consist of a council of seven persons, with a president, to be 
elected by the council from their number. Who composed it 
was unknown at the time the expedition sailed, their names 
being carefully concealed in a box, which was to be opened after 
their arrival. 

4. The original intention of the colony was to form a settle- 
ment at Roanoke ; but, being driven by a violent storm north 

* A sufficient reason may be assigned for the failure of the several 
attempts to effect permanent settlements in North America ; namely, that 
they were undertaken upon individual responsibility, with bad calculations, 
and intrusted, in most instances, to men of mercenary views. And, as to the 
sovereigns of Europe, they were too much occupied with affairs at home, to 
engage in speculations abroad. Besides, no prince or statesman in Europe 
appears to have foreseen the advantages of planting colonies in this northern 
continent. Had it contained mines of gold and silver, like South America, 
they would have contended with one another for the prize. But it seems 
not to have been conceived how numerous and hardy colonies could give such 
strength, opulence and grandeur, to empires, as could never be derived from 
the gold and other rich productions of the southern regions. 

f The London Company consisted of Sir Thomas Gates, .":'ir George Somers, 
Richard Hacklu3't, Edward Maria Wingfield, <fcc. These Avcre authorized to 
make a settlement at any place between the 34th and 41st degrees of lati- 
tude ; and in them was vested the right of property in the land, extending 
fifty miles each way from their place of habitation, and reaching one hun- 
dred miles into the country. 

X The Plymouth Company consisted of Thomas Hanham, Raleigh Gilbert. 
"William Parker, George Popham, and others, principally inhabitants of 
Bristol, Plymouth, and the eastern parts of England. To this company 
was granted the lands between the 38th and 45th degrees of latitude. They 
were vested with the right of property in lands to the same extent as in the 
southern colony : neither company, however, were to form settlement* 
Within one hundred miles of the other. 



VIRGINIA. 27 

»f that place, they discovered the entrance of Chesapeake Bay, 
the capes of "which they named Charles and Henry. Entering 
Ihis, they at length reached a convenient spot upon which to 
commence a settlement. The code of laws, hitherto cautiously 
concealed, was now promulgated ; and, at the same time, the coun- 
cil appointed by the company in England was made known. It 
consisted of Bartholomew Gosnold, John Smith, Edward Wing- 
field, Christopher Newport, John Batcliffe, John Martin, and 
George Kendall. Mr. Wingfield was chosen president. 

5. Among the most enterprising and useful members of this 
colony, and one of its magistrates, was Capt. John Smith ,^ 

* John Smith had been apprenticed to a merchant in his youth ; but, being 
of a roving turn, he quitted bis master, and, although at this time but 
thirteen years of age, he travelled in France, whence he proceeded to the 
Netherlands, Egypt and Germany, and at length entered the service of the 
Emperor of Austria, who was engaged in a war with the Turks. 

The regiment in which he served was engaged in several hazardous enter- 
prises, in which Smith exhibited a bravery admired by all the army ; and 
when Meldrick left the imperial service for that of his native prince, Smith 
followed. 

At the siege of Regal, he was destined to new adventures. The Otto- 
mans deriding the slow advance of the Transylvania army, the Lord Tur- 
bisha despatched a messenger with a challenge, that, for the diversion of 
the ladies of the place, he would fight any captain of the Christian troops. 

The honor of accepting this challenge was determined by lot, and fell on 
Smith. At the time appointed, the two champions appeared in the field on 
horseback, and, in the presence of the armies, and of the ladies of the 
insulting Ottoman, rushed impetuously to the attack. A short but des- 
perate conflict ensued, at the end of which Smith was seen bearing the head 
of the lifeless Turbisha in triumph to his general. 

The fall of the chief filled his friend Crualgo with indignation, and roused 
him to avenge his death. Smith, accordingly, soon after received a chal- 
lenge from him, which he did not hesitate to accept ; and the two exasper- 
ated combatants, upon their chargers, fell with desperate fury upon each 
other. Victory again followed the falchion of Smith, who sent the Turk 
headlong to the ground. 

It was now the turn of Smith to make the advance. He despatched a 
message, therefore, to the Turkish ladies, that, if they were desirous of more 
diversion of a similar kind, they should be welcome to his head, in case their 
third champion could take it. 

Bonamalgro tendered his services, and haughtily accepted the Christian's 
challenge. When the day arrived, the spectators assembled, and the com- 
batants entered the field. It was an hour of deep anxiety to all: as the 
horsemen approached, a deathlike silence pervaded the multitude. A bio - .? 
from the sabre of the Turk brought Smith to the ground ; and, for a mo- 
ment, it seemed as if the deed of death was done. Smith, however, was 
only stunned. He rose like a lion when he shakes the dew from his ma»o 
for the fight, and, vaulting into his saddle, made his falchion " shed fast 
atonement for its first delay." It is hardly necessary to add that the head 
of Bonamalgro was added to the number. 

In a general battle, in which Smith was subsequently engaged, he was 
Wounded and taken prisoner. On his recovery, he was sold as a slave, and 
was taken *p Constantinople. He was required to wait upon the lady of hi* 



28 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

whose devotion to the interests of the colony was as signal and 
unremitted, as his life had been replete with danger and suffer- 
ing. But for his spirit of patriotism and self-denial, it is cer- 
tain that its existence would have been short-lived. Before the 
arrival of the colony, his colleagues in office, becoming jealous 
of his influence, arrested him on the absurd charge that he 
designed to murder the council, usurp the government, and 
make himself king of Virginia. He was, therefore, rigorously 
confined during the remainder of the voyage. 

6. On their arrival in the country, he was liberated, but could 
not obtain a trial, although, in the tone of conscious integrity, he 
repeatedly demanded it. The infant colony was soon involved 
in perplexity and danger. Notwithstanding Smith had been 
calumniated, and his honor deeply wounded, his was not the 
spirit to remain idle when his services were needed. Nobly dis- 
daining revenge, he offered his assistance, and, by his talents, 
experience, and indefatigable zeal, furnished important aid to 
the infant colony.^ Continuing to assert his innocence, and to 

ruasteT, who, captivated by his fine appearance, sent him, in the absence of 
her husband, to the care of her brother, who resided near the Sea of Asoph. 

But he, being of a cruel disposition, treated Smith with so much inhu- 
manity, that, one day, in a fit of desperation, he killed his new master, and 
fled into Russia. From this country, he travelled through Germany, France, 
and Spain ; and, at length, returned once more to England. 

At this time, the settlement of America was occupying the attention of 
many distinguished men in England. The life of Smith, united to his fond- 
ness for enterprises of danger and difficulty, had prepared him to embark 
with zeal in a project so novel and sublime as that of exploring the wilds of 
a newly-discovered continent. 

He was soon attached to the expedition about to sail under Newport, and 
was appointed one of the magistrates of the colony sent over at that time. 

* When the affairs of the colony had become somewhat settled, the active 
spirit of Smith prompted him to explore the neighboring country. In an 
attempt to ascertain the source of Chickahominy river, he ascended in a 
barge as far as the stream was uninterrupted. Designing to proceed still 
further, he left the barge in the keeping of the crew, with strict injunctions 
on no account to leave her, and, with two Englishmen and two Indians, left 
the party. But no sooner was he out of view, than the crew, impatient of 
restraint, repaired on board the barge, and, proceeding some distance down 
the stream, landed at a place where a body of Indians lay in ambush, by 
whom they were seized. 

By means of the crew, the route of Smith was ascertained, and a party of 
Indians were immediately despatched to take him. On coming up with 
him, they fired, killed the Englishmen, and wounded himself. "With great 
presence of mind, he now tied his Indian guide to his left arm, as a shield 
from the enemies' arrows, while, with his musket, he despatched three of 
the most forward of the assailants. 

In this manner, he continued to retreat towards his canoe, while th« 
kiidiaas, struck with admiration of his bravery, followed with respectful cau- 



VIRGINIA. 



23 



demand a trial, the time at length arrived when his enemies 
could postpone it no longer. After a fair hearing of the case, he 

tion. Unfortunately, coming to a miry spot, he sunk, so as to be unable to 
extricate himself, and was forced to surrender. 

Fruitful in expedients, to avert immediate death, he presented an ivory 
compass to the chief, whose attention was arrested by the vibrations of the 
needle. Taking advantage of the impression thus made, partly by signs and 
partly by language, he excited their wonder still more, by telling them of 
its singular powers. 

Their wonder seemed soon to abate, and their attention returned to their 
prisoner. He was now bound and tied to a tree, and the savages were pre- 
paring to dkect their arrows at his breast. At this instant, the chief hold- 
ing up the compass, they laid down their arms, and led him in triumph to 
Powhatan, their king. 

Powhatan and his council doomed him to death ; and at length he was 
led out to execution. His head was laid upon a stone, and a club presented 
to Powhatan, who claimed the honor of becoming the executioner. The sav- 
ages in silence were circling round, and the giant arm of Powhatan had 




already raised the club to strike the fatal blow, when, to his astonishment, 
the young and beautiful Pocahontas, his daughter, with a shriek of terror, 
rushed from the throng, and threw herself upon the body of Smith. At the 
same time, she cast an imploring look towards her furious but astonished 
father, and, in all the eloquence of mute but impassioned sorrow, besought 
his life. 

The remainder of the scene was honorable to Powhatan. The Ci "b of the 
chief was still uplifted ; but a father's pity had touched his heart, and the 
eye that had at first kindled with wrath was now fast losing its fierceness 
He looked round as if to collect his fortitude, or perhaps to find an excuse 
for his weakness in the pity of the attendants. A similar sympathy had 
ttielted the savage throng, and seemed to join in the petition which the 
woeping Pocahontas felt, but durst not utter, " My father, let the prisonei 
Sv6 " Powhatan raised his daughter, and also the captive, from the earth 

3* 



SO PERIOD H. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

was honorably acquitted of the charges alleged against him, and 
Boon after took his seat in the council. 

7. The colony, thus commenced, soon experienced a variety of 
calamities, incidental, perhaps, to infant settlements, but not the 
less painful and discouraging. Inefficiency and a want of har- 
mony marked the proceedings of the council. Provisions were 
scarce, and of a poor quality. The neighboring tribes of Indians 
became jealous and hostile ; and, more than all, sickness spread 
among them, and carried a large proportion of their number to 
an early grave, among whom was Captain Gosnold, the projector 
of the enterprise. 

8. The condition of the colony, however, was, at length, some- 
what improved, by the arrival of Captain Newport (who had been 
despatched to England), with a supply of provisions, and an addi- 
tional number of men. Captain Nelson, who had sailed with 
Newport, also soon after arrived, with additional emigrants and 
provisions. With these accessions, the colonists now amounted to 
two hundred men. This number was still further increased, 
before the end of 1608, by the arrival of seventy colonists, 
among whom were many persons of distinction. 

9. Early in the year 1609, the London Company, not having 
realized their anticipated profit from their new establishment in 
America, obtained from the king a new charter, with more ample 
privileges. Under this charter, Thomas West, otherwise called 
Lord De la War, was appointed governor for life. The company, 
under their new act of incorporation, was styled " The Treasurer 
and Company of Adventurers and Planters for the First Colony 
in Virginia." They were now granted in absolute property what 
had formerly been conveyed only in trust, — a territory extend- 
ing from Point Comfort two hundred miles north and south, 
along the coast, and throughout the land from sea to sea. 



Shortly after, Powhatan dismissed Captain Smith, with assurances of 
friendship ; and the next morning, accompanied with a guard of twelve men, 
he arrived safely at Jamestown, after a captivity of seven weeks. 

In 1609, circumstances having arisen to interrupt the friendly dispositions 
of Powhatan towards the colony, he plotted their entire destruction. Ilia 
design was to attack them unapprized, and to cut them off at a blow. 

In a dark and stormy night, the heroic Pocahontas hastened alone to 
Jamestown, and disclosed the inhuman plot of her father. The colony were 
thus put on their guard, and their ruin averted. 

It may be interesting to add, concerning Pocahontas, that some time after 
this she was married to an English gentleman of the name of llolfe, with 
whom she visited England. She embraced the Christian religion, and was 
baptized by the name of Rebecca. She left one son, who had several daugh- 
ters, the descendants of whom inherited her lands in Virginia, and are 
wnong the most respectable families in that state 






VIRGINIA. 31 

10. Lord De la War, being appointed governor of the colony, 
but not being able to leave England, immediately despatched to 
America nine ships and five hundred men, under command of 
Sir Thomas Gates, his lieutenant, and Sir George Somers, his 
admiral. Eight of these ships arrived in safety at Jamestown, 
in the month of August ; but that on board of which was Sir 
Thomas and other officers, being wrecked on the Bermudas, did 
not arrive till May of the following year ; and then in two small 
vessels, which meanwhile they had built. 

11. At the time Sir Thomas and the other officers arrived, the 
colony had become reduced to circumstances of great depression. 
Captain Smith, in consequence of a severe accidental wound, had 
some time before returned to England ; and his departure was 
the signal for insubordination and idleness. Moreover, the 
Indians refused the usual supplies of provisions ; in consequence of 
which, famine ensued, during which the skins of the horses were 
devoured, the bodies of the Indians whom they had killed, and 
even the remains of deceased friends. Of five hundred persons, 
sixty only remained. At this juncture, the shipwrecked from 
Bermuda arrived. An immediate return to England was pro- 
posed ; and, with that intent, they embarked. But just as they 
were leaving the mouth of the river, Lord De la War appeared, 
with supplies of men and provisions, and they were persuaded to 
return. By means of his judicious management, the condition 
of the colony soon wore a better aspect, and for several years 
continued to prosper. 

12. It was unfortunate, however, that ill health obliged Lord 
De la War, in March, 1611, to leave the administration. He 
was succeeded by Sir Thomas Dale, who arrived in May. Hith- 
erto, no right of property in land had been established, but the 
produce of labor was deposited in public stores, and shared in 
common. To remedy the indolence and indifference growing out 
of such a system, Sir Thomas assigned to each inhabitant a lot 
of three acres as his own, and a certain portion of time to culti- 
vate it. The advantages of this measure were soon so apparent, 
that another assignment, of fifty acres, was made, and, not long 
after, the plan of working in a common field was abandoned. 

13. The year 1619 forms a memorable epoch in the history 
of Virginia, a provincial legislature being at this time introduced, 
in which the colonists were represented by delegates chosen by 
themselves.. This colonial assembly — the first legislature to 
which the people of America sent representatives — was convoked 
by Sir George Yeardly, the governor-general of the colony, and 
met at Jamestown, on the 29th of June. Before this, the col* 



82 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

Dnists had been ruled rather as soldiers in garrison, by martial 
law ; but now they were invested with the privileges of free- 
men. They were divided into eleven corporations, each of which 
was represented in the assembly. 

14. The following year, the colony received a large accession 
to their number. Eleven ships arrived, with twelve hundred 
and sixty settlers. Nearly one thousand colonists were resident 
here before. In order to attach them still more to the country, 
one hundred and fifty respectable young women were sent over, 
to become wives to the planters. These were sold at the price, 
at first, of one hundred, and afterwards, one hundred and fifty, 
pounds of tobacco, which was worth, at the time, three shillings 
per pound. Debts incurred for the purchase of wives were 
recoverable before any others. 

15. Accessions to the colony of a different character were 
also made. By order of King James, one hundred persons who 
had rendered themselves obnoxious to government by thfir 
crimes were sent to the colony by way of punishment. This, 
perhaps designed for its benefit, as the exiles were chiefly em- 
ployed as laborers, was ultimately prejudicial to its prosperity. 
During the year 1620, slave-holding was introduced into the 
colony. A Dutch ship from Africa, touching at Jamestown, 
landed twenty negroes for sale. These were purchased by the 
planters ; and slavery was thus introduced into the country. 

16. In 1622, the Virginia colony, which for some time had 
enjoyed great prosperity, and had received frequent accessions, 
experienced a stroke which proved nearly fatal. The successor 
of Powhatan, of a proud, revengeful spirit, and extremely hostile 
to the colony, concerted a plan to cut them off at a blow ; and, 
on the 1st of April, it was so far put in execution, that three 
hundred and forty-seven of the colony — men, women, and chil- 
dren — were butchered almost in the same instant.^ 



* The chief by whom this massacre was planned, and under whom it was 
executed, was Opecancanough, the successor of Powhatan. The whole sur- 
rounding Indian population had been enlisted by this artful chief ; and yet 
they visited the English settlements, and even purchased arms and borrowed 
boats to enable them to accomplish their savage purpose. 

" On the morning of the fatal day, as also the evening before, they came 
as at other times, into the houses of the English, with deer, turkeys, fish, 
and other things to sell. At mid-day, the hour appointed, the blow fell ; 
and, in the work of death, neither sex nor age was spared. So quick waa 
the execution, that few perceived the weapon or the blow which despatched 
them. 

" Jamestown and some of the neighboring places were saved by the dis- 
closure of a Christian Indian, named Chanco, who was confidentially informed 
»f the design by his brother, on the morning of the 1st of April." As soou 



VIRGINIA. 33 

17. In 1624, the London Company, •which had settled Vir- 
ginia, was dissolved by an act of King James I., under pretext 
of the calamities which had befallen the colony, and the dissen- 
sions which had agitated the company. Their charter was taken 
away, and the government of the colony assumed by the crown. 
The king himself appointed the governor, in whom, with twelve 
councillors, the powers of government were vested. 

18. The London Company, thus dissolved, consisted of gentle- 
men of liberal views, who had expended more than one hundred 
thousand pounds of their fortunes in this first attempt to plant 
an English colony in America ; and more than nine thousand 
persons had been sent from the mother country to people thio 
new settlement. At the time of the dissolution of the company, 
scarcely two thousand survived. 

19. The dissolution of the charter was an arbitrary act on the 
part of the king ; and not less arbitrary and odious were his 
subsequent regulations. Under these the people suffered till 
1636, at which time, inflamed to madness by the oppressive con- 
duct of Sir John Harvey, the then governor, they seized him, 
and sent him prisoner to England. Their conduct in this was 
so displeasing to the king, Charles L, successor of James I., that 
he sent Harvey back. But, in 1639, the king appointed Sir 
William Berkley to succeed him, with instructions again to allow 
the Virginians to elect representatives. For this privilege they 
were so grateful, that they continued faithful to the royal cause, 
even after Cromwell had usurped the government. This loyalty 
brought upon them the vengeance of Parliament, in 1652, at 
which time a fleet was despatched to reduce them to submission. 
At this time, Governor Berkley was obliged to retire. 

20. About the time of Cromwell's death, but before that 
event, the Virginians proclaimed Charles II., and invited Berk- 
ley to resume his authority. On the accession of Charles, he 
confirmed Berkley in his office. But, from this time, the con- 
duct of the governor was odious and oppressive. Agents were 
sent to England, to lay their grievances at the foot of the throne ; 
but agents were unsuccessful, and, at length, the discontent of 
the people ripened into a formidable insurrection, known by the 
name of " Bacon's Rebellion." 

. •>? -t 

as the English had time to recover themselves, they rose to avenge the death 
of their slaughtered friends, and succeeded in driving far into the wilderness 
Buch as t|iey could not destroy. But, by means of the calamities which fell 
upon the English, their settlements were reduced from eighty to eight; and 
by the year 16 24, out of nine thousand persons who had been sent from Eng- 
land, but eighteen hundred existed in the colony. 

\ 



M PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

21. This Bacon (Nathaniel) was an Englishman, who, soon 
after his arrival, had been appointed a member of the council. 
He was young, of commanding person, and distinguished for 
ambition, energy and enterprise. The colony, at this time, being 
engaged in war with the Susquehannah Indians, Bacon despatched 
a messenger to Governor Berkley, requesting a commission to 
proceed against them. This, for a time, was refused ; in conse- 
quence of which, great animosity arose between Berkley and 
Bacon ; and, at length, the former publicly denounced Bacon as 
a rebel, although previously he had given him the required 
commission. Hearing of this denunciation, Bacon, instead of 
marching against the Indians, proceeded to Jamestown, wreak- 
ing his vengeance upon all who opposed him. Finding it in 
vain to withstand him, the governor fled across the bay, and the 
council dispersed, leaving Bacon in possession of supreme power. 

22. At length, the governor, with a small force, under com- 
mand of Major Robert Beverly, recrossed the bay, to oppose the 
malecontents. Civil war had now commenced. Jamestown was 
burnt by Bacon's followers ; various parts of the colony were 
pillaged, and the wives of those that adhered to the governor's 
party were carried to the camp of the insurgents. In the midst 
of these commotions, Bacon died. The malecontents, thus left 
to reflection, began to disperse. Two of Bacon's generals sur- 
rendered and were pardoned, and the people quietly returned to 
their homes. Upon this, Berkley resumed the government, and 
peace was restored. This rebellion forms an era of some note in 
the history of Virginia, and its unhappy effects were felt for 
thirty years. During its continuance, husbandry was almost 
entirely neglected, and such havoc was made among all kinds 
of cattle that the people were threatened with famine. Sir Wil- 
liam Berkley, after having been forty years governor of Virginia, 
returned to England, where he soon after died. 

23. It may be proper to add, that some historians take a more 
favorable view of Bacon's character and conduct than is herd 
presented. It must be admitted that the administration of 
Berkley, in many of its measures, was arbitrary and severe ; — 
fines and confiscations, and even executions, were frequent ; and* 
moreover, no printing-presses were allowed in the province. 
It is not to be concealed that the people were grievously 
oppressed ; but Bacon's conduct was condemned by the council, 
of which he was a member ; and by them, also, he was declared 
a " rebel." 

24. In 1679, some time after the death of Berkley, Lord Cul* 
pepper came over as governor, with certain laws prepared in con« 



MASSACHUSETTS. 35 

Formity to the wishes of the ministry of England, and designed 
to be enacted by the assembly in Virginia. One of those laws 
provided for raising a revenue for the support of government. 
It made the duties perpetual, and placed them under the direc- 
tion of his majesty. Out of the duties, Culpepper dishonestly 
took, as his salary, two thousand pounds, and one hundred and 
sixty pounds, in addition, for house-rent. On presenting these 
laws to the assembly, Culpepper informed them that, in case they 
were passed, he had instructions to offer pardon to all who had 
been concerned in Bacon's rebellion ; but if not, he had commis- 
sions to try and hang them as rebels, and a regiment of soldiers 
on the spot to support him. Thus threatened, the assembly 
passed the laws. From this period to the occurrence of the 
French War, no events are to be found, in the history of 
Virginia, of sufficient importance to be noticed in the present 
pages. 

II. MASSACHUSETTS. 

1. The name " Massachusetts " is supposed to have been 
derived from a tribe of Indians in the neighborhood of- Boston ; 
and the tribe itself, according to Roger Williams, was so called 
from the " Blue Hills of Milton." 

2. The territory now so denominated was originally a part 
of North Virginia, which had been conveyed, by charter of 
James I., in 1606, to the " Plymouth Company," m South Vir- 
ginia had been to the " London Company." ^ 

3. Soon after the above grant, the " Plymouth Company " 
despatched a vessel to explore the country, and, not long after, 
sent a colony of one hundred planters, under George Popham 
and Raleigh Gilbert, to form a settlement. These landed, Aug. 
21, at the mouth of the Sagadahock, since called the Kennebec. 
The two ships returned to England in December, leaving forty- 
five of the colonists in the plantation, which received the name 
of Fort St. George. Bat the hardships of the colony, during 
the following winter, were so severe, that in the spring the settle- 
ment was abandoned, and the survivors returned to England. 

4. In 1614, Captain John Smith, distinguished in the early 
history of Virginia, sailed, with two ships, for North Virginia, 
for the purposes of trade and discovery. During the voyage, he 
explored the coast from Penobscot to Cape Cod, giving names to 
several important points of land, which, for the first time, wera 



* For further account of these companies, see p. 26. 



36 PERIOD H. — 1607—1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

now discovered. On his return, he presented a map of the coun< 
try, which he had projected, to Prince Charles, afterwards Charles 
I., and to which the latter, " in the warmth of his admiration," 
gave the name of New England. 

5. The flattering representations of Captain Smith regarding 
the country revived the slumbering interests of the " Plymouth 
Company," and induced them to form new plans for its settle- 
ment. Smith himself was appointed admiral of the country, for 
life ; and after some years a new charter was obtained from the 
king, — the old " Plymouth Company " being dissolved, — and 
a new company formed, by the title of the " Council of Plym- 
outh," to which was granted, in absolute right, all the territory 
between the fortieth and the forty-eighth degrees of north latitude, 
extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and comprising more 
than a million of square miles, with all the privileges and author' 
ity originally granted to the " Plymouth Company." 

6. This charter bore date November 13, 1620, and was the 
basis of the several grants subsequently made of the New Eng- 
land territory. Yet the settlement of that territory was destined 
to be commenced, in the first instance, without any patent from 
the " Council of Plymouth," or from the king, and, indeed, with- 
out their knowledge or concurrence. To the history of this first 
New England colony we now proceed. 

1. Plymouth Colony. — 1. During the same month (Novem- 
ber, 1620) that the above charter was granted by James to the 
" Council of Plymouth," a colony of pilgrims, consisting of one 
hundred and one persons, arrived from England, and, after spend- 
ing some time in exploring the coast, landed, on the 21st of 
December, at a place since called " Forefathers' Rock," and 
began the first permanent settlement in New England, calling it 
Plymouth.^ 

2. The persons composing this colony, and, indeed, the firs! 
settlers of New England, were principally from the counties of 
Nottinghamshire, Lancashire, and Yorkshire. In these countie? 
there prevailed, about the year 1602, an extensive revival of 
religion. The new converts, wishing to worship God in a man- 
ner more simple than was observed hi the established church, but 
not being allowed to do it while they continued members of it 
agreed upon a separation from it ; and, for the sake of peace and 
more liberty of conscience, resolved upon a removal to the states 
of Holland, which, at that time, granted a free toleration to dif* 
ferent denominations of Protestants. The leader of these emi* 

* Or New Plmiouth, as it was then written. 



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PLYMOUTH COLONY — FOREFATHERS' ROCK. 37 

grants, in the year 1607, was an able and pious man, Mr. John 
Robinson, who, with his congregation, prepared for their removal 
to Amsterdam ; but they found the ports and harbors carefully 
watched, strict orders being given not to suffer them to depart. 
Twice they attempted to embark, but were discovered and pre- 
vented. At another time, having got on board a ship, with their 
effects, the ship-master sailed a little distance, and then returned 
and delivered them to the resentment of their enemies. 

3. The next year, they made another attempt, in which, after 
the severest trials, they succeeded. Yet, when only a part of 
their number were on board, and while the women and children 
were in a bark, approaching the ship, the Dutch captain, appre- 
hensive of danger to himself, hoisted sail, and, with a fair wind, 
directed his course to Holland. The passengers used every effort 
to persuade him to return, but in vain. They saw their wives 
and children fall into the hands of merciless enemies, while unable 
to afford them any relief. They had none of their effects, not 
even a change of clothes, on board. 

4. Moreover, a storm arose, which raged seven days without 
intermission. By its violence, they were driven to the coast of 
Norway. On a sudden, the sailors exclaimed, " The ship has 
foundered ! she sinks ! she sinks ! " The seamen trembled in 
despair; the pilgrims looked up to God, and cried, "Yet, Lord, 
thou canst save ; yet, Lord, thou canst save." To the astonish- 
ment of all, the vessel soon began to rise, rode out the storm, and 
at length reached its destined port. After some time, all their 
friends who had been left arrived safely in Holland. 

5. After remaining a number of years in Holland, first at 
Amsterdam, and then at Ley den, this little flock found their 
situation, on many accounts, unpleasant. The immoralities of 
their neighbors were dangerous to the rising generation ; the dif- 
ficulties of procuring a comfortable living induced not a few of 
their sons to enter the Dutch armies ; and at no distant day, 
there was reason to apprehend, their posterity would become 
incorporated with the people of the country, and their church 
become extinct. These considerations, added to the more power- 
ful motive, the hope of laying the foundation for the extensive 
advancement of the kingdom of Christ in the western wilderness, 
induced them to remove to America. Previous to their final 
determination, as their governing maxim always was, " In all 
thy ways, acknowledge God, and he shall direct thy paths," they 
set apart a day for tasting and prayer, to seek direction from 
God. 

6. Their original plan contemplated a settlement in South Vir« 

4 



38 PERIOD II. — 1607—1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

ginia, on lands owned by the London Company; but the king not 
being willing " to tolerate them in their religious worship by his 
public authority under his seal," they concluded to form a part- 
nership with certain " merchant adventurers " of London. The 
terms of this partnership were hard upon these pilgrims ; but, as 
there was to be no interference with their civil and religious 
rights, the articles were agreed upon.^ 

7. They now began to prepare themselves for their momentous 
enterprise. For this purpose, they procured two vessels, the 
Speedwell and the Mayflower. The Speedwell, of sixty tons, 
they purchased in Holland, with the intention of keeping her for 
their accommodation in America. The Mayflower, of one hun- 
dred and eighty tons, they hired at London. 

8. All things heing in readiness for their departure from Ley- 
den, they kept a, Jay of solemn humiliation and prayer. On the 
1st of August, the pilgrims repaired to Delfthaven, a place 
about twenty miles from Leyden, and two miles from Rotterdam. 
Here they were to embark. To this port they were kindly 
attended by many of their brethren and. friends from Amster- 
dam, as well as from Leyden. Leaving Delfthaven, they sailed 
for Southampton, at which place they were joined by the rest of 
their company from London, in the Mayflower. On the 15th 
of August, 1620, both vessels set sail for the New World ; but 
before proceeding far, the Speedwell sprung a-leak, and at 
Plymouth, whither they put in, she was condemned as not sea- 
worthy. Under these circumstances, a part of the emigrants 
were dismissed, and the rest were taken on board of the May- 
flower. 

9. With one hundred and one passengers,! this vessel sailed 
from Plymouth, September 16th. For two months they were 
tossed and driven upon the tempestuous ocean ; till, at length, on 
the 19th of November, they had the happiness to descry the 
bleak and dreary shores of Cape Cod. But they were still 

* The copartnership was for seven years. The shares were two pounds 
each. Each person sixteen years of age must take one share, and every ten 
pounds put in by any one was accounted an additional share. At the end 
of seven years, all the possessions of the colony, with everything gained by 
them, were to be equally divided among the adventurers, merchants as well 
as pilgrims. Such was the essence of the copartnership on the grounds of 
which alone the pilgrims could find friends to help them get to America 
And it proved a sad business for the colony, keeping it in a constant stat* 
of embarrassment. 

f It will be pleasant to the learner, we trust, to know the names of thos« 
who came over in the Mayflower. The following is a list of the men, with 
the number of persons in their several families set opposite their names 
One individual died on the passage, and one was born, whom they nainud 



BAILING OP THE MAYFLOWER— HER PASSENGERS 39 

remote from the place selected for a habitation, it being their 
intention to settle near the mouth of the Hudson. Toward that 
river they now bent their course. But the wintry season in- 
duced them to relinquish their design, and seek the nearest rest- 
ing-place. They, therefore, turned back, and, after two days, 
November 21st, anchored in Cape Cod harbor, between Cape 
Cod and Plymouth. 

10. Before landing, having devoutly given thanks to God for 
their safe arrival, they formed themselves into a body politic, 
forty-one signing a solemn contract, according to the provisions 
tff which they were to be governed. Mr. John Carver was 
elected governor for one year. Government being thus estab- 
lished, sixteen men, well armed, with a few others, were sent on 
shore, to procure wood and make discoveries ; but they returned 
at night, without having found any person or habitation. The 
company, having rested on the Lord's day, proceeded, on Mon- 
day 23d, to make further discovery of the country. 

11. On Wednesday, Miles Standish and sixteen armed men, 
in searching for a convenient place for settlement, saw five or 
six Indians, whom they followed several miles ; but, not overtak- 
ing them, were constrained to lodge in the woods. The next 
day they discovered heaps of earth, which proved to be Indian 
graves. In diiferent heaps of sand they also found baskets of 
corn, a quantity of which they carried away. This providentia 1 
discovery gave them seed for a future harvest, and preserved the 
infant colony from famine. Before the close of the month 
Mrs. Susannah White became the mother of an infant son, who 
was called Peregrine, the first child of European extraction born 
in New England. 



Oceanus. The names in small capitals indicate those who died before the 
end of March, 1621: 



Mr. John Cprver, 
William Bradford, 
Mr. Edward Winslow, 
Mr. William Brewster, 
Mr. Isaac Allerton, . 
V-.{}>',. Miles Standish, 
John Alden, .... 
Mr. Samuel Fuller, . . . 2 
Mr. Christopher Martin,4 
Mr. Wm. Mullins, ... 5 
Mb. William White, . . 5 
Mr. Richard Warren, . . 1 

John I lowland, * 

Mr. Stephen Hopkins, . . 8 



Edward Tilly, .... 4 

John Tilly, 3 

Peter Brown, 1 

Richard Britteridgb, . 1 

George Soule, t 

Rk hard Clark, . . . . 1 
Richard Gardiner, . . . 1 

Francis Cook, 2 

Thomas Rogers, .... 2 
Thomas Tinker, .... 3 
John Ridgdale, .... 2 
Edward Fuller, .... 3 

John Turner, 3 

Francis Eaton, .... 3 



James Chiston, . 
John Ckackston, . 
John Billington, . 
Moses Fletcher, . 
John Goodman, . 
Degory Priest, . . 
Thomas Williams, 
Gilbert Winslow, . 
Edmund Margeson, 
John Allerton*, . 
Thomas English, . 
Edward Dotey, . . 
Edward Leistei, 



* Rowland was servant of Governor Carver. 

t Soule was servant of Governor Winslow. 

j Dotey and Leister were servants of Mr. Hopkins. 



40 



PERIOD II. — 1607—1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 



12. From this time, the 16th of December, they were employed 
for several days in searching for a proper place on which to settle. 
On the night of the 18th they reached a small island, on which 
they spent Saturday and the Sabbath. The day following, the 
21st, they sounded the harbor, and found it fit for shipping, 




went on shore, and explored the adjacent land, where they saw 
various corn-fields and brooks ; and judging the situation to be 
convenient for a settlement, they returned with the welcome 
intelligence to the ship. This marks the era of the Landing of 
the Pilgrim Fathers, on what has been appropriately styled 
" Forefathers' Rock." 

13. In a few days the Mayflower was safely riding in the 
harbor. As a matter of high importance, a platform for their 
ordnance was erected on a hill, commanding an extensive pros- 
pect of the plain beneath, and of the neighboring bay. Prepara- 
tions were also begun for the erection of habitations for the set- 
tiers. A division of the company was made into nineteen fami- 
lies, to each of which was assigned a suitable lot for house and 
garden. A house about twenty feet square was erected and 
used in common. This, for a time, besides a place of rendezvous, 
served as a meeting-house.^ In 1622, however, a timber fort 



* When the pilgrims first left for America, it was the wish of Mr. Robin- 
Bon to accompany them; but, as a great part of his church still remained at 
Leyden, he was persuaded to remain and minister to them, until the way 
was prepared for the removal of church and pastor. Mr. William Brewster, 



DIFFICULTIES — TREATY WITH MASASSOIT. 41 

fcras erected, with flat roof and battlements, on which their can- 
non were mounted, and a watch was kept. This also was their 
house of worship. 

14. Difficulties and discouragements, however, gathered round 
these servants of God. Many soon fell sick, by reason of want 
and exposure. Winter set in before their habitations were com- 
fortably prepared. Death, too, swept many to an untimely grave. 
Six died in December, eight in January, seventeen in February 
thirteen in March ; and of these forty-four, nineteen had sub- 
scribed the great compact on board the Mayflower. The bury- 
ing place selected was but a short distance above " Forefathers' 
Rock." Those early graves, however, are lost from present 
knowledge, having been levelled by the pilgrims, and sowed, for 
the purpose of concealing them from the Indians, " lest, by count- 
ing the number of the dead, they should ascertain the weakness 
of the living." 

15. Fortunately for the colony, the neighboring Indians offered 
them no serious molestation during the time of their severest 
trials ; nor for several months did they approach sufficiently near 
to hold any intercourse. In March, however, 1621, the way 
was prepared for the negotiation of a treaty in the ensuing 
autumn, through Governor Carver, with Masassoit, the great 
sachem of the neighboring Indians. This treaty " of friendship, 
commerce, and mutual defence," was kept inviolate for over fifty 
years, until the breaking out of King Philip's War, in 1675 ; and 
not only gave general peace to the colony, but laid the founda- 
tion for the colony's intimate and amicable correspondence with 
the neighboring tribes.^ 

who had been Robinson's assistant came over as minister to those who em- 
barked on board the Mayflower, and occupied the first meeting-house ever 
erected in New England. Mr. Robinson himself never removed, although 
he often contemplated it; and a reason assigned for his not fulfilling his 
design was the unwillingness of the " merchant adventurers " to furnish him 
a passage. His death occurred March 1st, 1625. 

* The person chiefly instrumental in bringing this event to pass was 
Samoset, a sagamore or chief of the country lying at the distance of about 
five days' journey. He was the first visitant of the colony at Plymouth, and 
greatly surprised the inhabitants, by calling out, as he entered their village, 
** Welcome, Englishmen ! welcome, Englishmen ! " He had conversed with 
the English fishermen who had come to the eastern coast, and had learned 
some of the language. He informed the colony that the place where they 
were settled was called by the Indians Patuxet; that, five years before, a 
plague had swept off all the natives from the place, — that there was neither 
man, woman nor child, remaining. Providence had thus singularly prepared 
the way fur the colonies to take possession of the land, without molesting a 
single owner. 

Samoset, having been treated with hospitality by these strangers was 
4^ 



42 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS 

16. The manner in which. Canonicus, the proud and powerful 
chief of the Narragansets, was awed into submission, is at once 
an evidence of his cowardice and of the sagacity of Governor 
Bradford. Canonicus, in token of his hostile bearing towards the 
colony, sent to Plymouth a bundle of arrows wrapped in a rat- 
tlesnake's skin. Nothing daunted, Bradford filled the skin with 
powder and shot, and returned it. Upon seeing this, the courage 
of Canonicus cooled. He did not choose to accept the chal- 
lenge ; and hence, skin, powder and shot, were brought back 
to the governor. 

17. In 1623, fears were entertained for the safety of the col- 
ony, by reason of an anticipated famine. From the third week 
in May to the middle of July, no rain fell. The corn withered 
under the heat of a scorching sun. The Indians prophesied fam- 
ine for the colony, and a consequent easy triumph over them. 
In this extremity, a public fast was observed, with great solem- 
nitj, — the first voluntary fast ever kept on these western 
shores. The morning of the fast was cloudless, and the day 
proved intensely hot. But, as evening approached, clouds col- 
lected, and rain descended in moderate but refreshing showers , 
the languishing crops revived, and a bountiful harvest succeeded. 
In token of the general gratitude, a day of public thanksgiving 
was ordered, — the second such day ever observed in New Eng- 
land, — the first having been observed after the first harvest had 
been gathered by the fathers.* 

18. The partnership convention of the colonists with tho 
il London Adventurers " had, from the commencement, proved 

disposed to cultivate a further acquaintance with them; and, on his third 
visit, was accompanied by Squanto, a native of the country, who had been 
carried away, in 1614, by one Hunt, and sold into Spain, but had been taken 
to London, whence he had returned to America. 

They informed the English that Masassoit, the greatest sachem of the 
neighboring Indians, was near, with a guard of sixty men. Mutual distrust 
prevented, for some time, any advances from either side. But Squanto, 
who was, at length, sent to Masassoit, returned, saying that the sachem 
wished the English to send some one to confer with him. Mr. Edward Wins- 
low was accordingly sent, bearing suitable presents to the chief. These 
proving acceptable, Masassoit left Mr. Window in the custody of his men as 
a hostage, and ventured to the English, by whom he was hospitably enter- 
tained, and with whom he concluded the treaty already noticed. 

* Before the appointment of this first thanksgiving, the governor sent 
out a " fowling expedition," that for their thanksgiving dinners, and for 
the festivities of the week they might have " more dainty and abundant 
materials than ordinary." This was the week in which Masassoit and ninety 
of his men were entertained. Labor was suspended, and the English em- 
ployed themselves in military exercises before their visitants. The annual 
New England custom of Thanksgiving dates back, it may be seen, to the 
first year of our forefathers' arrival 



COLONY OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY. 43 

unprofitable and embarrassing. The former were compelled to 
effect loans of the adventurers at ruinous rates of interest ; 
while the latter, receiving few or no returns for investments, 
grew discouraged, and in several instances acted in opposition to 
the interests of the colony, especiaUy in refusing the venerable 
pastor Robinson a passage to America. 

19. In 1627, however, an end was put to the partnership, 
the colonists purchasing the interests of the " London Mer- 
chants" for eighteen hundred pounds, two hundred of which 
were to be paid yearly. Upon this, the colonists became the 
sole proprietors of the land on which they had settled, a patent 
for which having been procured from the " Council of Plym- 
outh" in 1621, during the existence of the partnership. An 
equitable division of the property, which before was in common 
stock, was now made by the colonists among themselves. 

20. It may here be added, that the colony was never incor- 
porated by the king. The government was at first formed and 
conducted according to a voluntary compact, entered into before 
landing. Till the year 1624, it consisted of a governor and one 
assistant only. From this period, five were annually chosen, 
the governor having a double vote. The number of assistants 
was afterwards increased to seven. The laws of the colony were 
enacted, and the affairs of government conducted, by these offi- 
cers, for near twenty years. In 1639 the towns for the first 
time sent deputies. The colony continued distinct near seventy 
years, until 1691, when, by charter of William and Mary, it 
was united to the colony of Massachusetts and the Province of 
Maine. 

II. Colony of Massachusetts Bay. — 1. In 1628 the 
foundation was laid for another colony in New England, by the 
name of the " Colony of Massachusetts Bay," — several enter- 
prising men at that time purchasing of the " Council of Plym- 
outh " a tract of land for the purpose of settling it.* During 
the same year, the purchasers sent one Mr. John Endicot, with 
one hundred colonists, to begin a settlement, which they effected 
at Salem, previously called by the Indians Naumkeak. 

2. The settlement of Massachusetts Bay, like the colony of 
Plymouth, was commenced by non-conformists, for the purpose 
of enjoying greater religious liberty in matters of worship. 
Among the most active in this enterprise were Mr. Endicot and 

* These were Sir Henry Roswell, Sir John Young, Thomas Southcoaf| 
John Endicot, and Simon Whetcomb, of Dorchester. 



44 PERIOD II. — 1G07 -175G. — SETTLEMENTS. 

Mr. White ; the latter a pious and active minister of Dorchester, 
in England. 

3. The tract purchased extended three miles north of the 
Merrimack river, and three miles south of Charles river, and 
east and west from the Atlantic to the South Sea, or Pacific 
Ocean. 

4. In 1629 the Massachusetts Company obtained a chartei 
from the king, being incorporated by the name of " The Governor 
and Company of Massachusetts Bay, in New England." Mr 
Endicot, being in the country, was appointed the first governor. 
In June, two hundred additional settlers arrived, bringing with 
them horses, sheep and goats, and large stores of necessaries. A 
part of these emigrants, not being pleased with the situation of 
Salem, commenced the settlement of Misiiawum, or Ciiarlxs- 

TOWN. 

5. The following year, 1680, it being judged reasonable that 
a colony should be ruled by men residing in the plantation, the 
proprietors agreed that the charter and powers of government, 
conferred by it, should be transmitted from London to the col- 
ony in America. Accordingly, this was done, the officers of 
government being hi the first instance chosen by the company 
in England. The excellent John Winthrop was chosen gov- 
ernor, and Thomas Dudley deputy governor ; Isaac Johnson, Sir 
Richard Saltonstall, and others, to the number of eighteen, were 
chosen assistants. 

6. Governor Winthrop was accompanied to Massachusetts by 
nearly three hundred families, or fifteen hundred souls, many of 
whom were distinguished for their " quality," as well as their 
intelligence and piety. This company designed to settle at 
Charlestown ; but the prevalence of a fatal sickness previous to 
their arrival, imputed to the badness of the water, induced many 
of the emigrants to form other settlements, some at Dorchester, 
others at Roxbury and Watetitown. Governor Winthrop, 
with some of the most distinguished gentlemen of the company, 
hearing of an excellent spring of water at Shawmut, established 
themselves there, and erected a few cottages. This was tha 
commencement of Boston, which for a short time was denomi 
nated by the English Tri-Modntaix. 

7. On the arrival of Governor Winthrop, who continued from 
this time to his death the head and father of the colony, he 
found the plantation in a distressed and suffering state. In the 
preceding autumn the colony contained about three hundred 
inhabitants ; eighty of these had died, and a great part of the 
eurvivors were in a weak and sickly state. Their supply of corn 



TRIALS OF THE PILGRIMS. 45 

ivas not sufficient for more than a fortnight, and their ether 
provisions were nearly exhausted. 

8. In addition to these evils, they were informed that a com- 
bination of various tribes of Indians was forming for the utter 
extirpation of the colony. Their strength was weakness, but 
their confidence was in God, and they were not forsaken. Many 
of the planters who arrived this summer, after long voyages, 
were in a sickly state, and disease continued to rage through the 
season. By the close of the year, the number of deaths exceeded 
two hundred. Among these were several of the principal per- 
sons in the colony. Mr. Higginson, the venerable minister of 
Salem, spent about a year with that parent church, and was 
removed to the church in glory. His excellent colleague, Mr. 
Skelton, did not long survive him. Mr. Johnson, one of the 
assistants, and his lady, who was a great patroness of the settle- 
ment, died soon after their arrival. Of the latter an early his- 
torian observes, " She left an earthly paradise, in the family of 
an earldom, to encounter the sorrows of a wilderness, for the 
entertainments of a pure worship in the house of God ; and then 
immediately left that wilderness for the heavenly paradise."' * 

9. The succeeding winter commenced in December with great 
severity. Few of the houses which had been erected were com- 
fortable, and the most of them were miserable coverings. Un- 
used to such severities of climate, the poor people suffered 
severely from the cold. Many were frozen to death. The 
inconveniences of their accommodations increased the diseases 
which continued to prevail among them. But their constancy 
had not yet been brought to the last trial. During the continu- 
ance of the severe season, their stock of provisions began to fail. 
Those who wanted were supplied by those who possessed, as long 
as any remained. A poor man came to the governor to com- 
plain, and was 'informed that the last bread of his house was in 
the oven. Many subsisted upon shell-fish, ground-nuts, and 
acorns, which, at that season, could nut have been procured but 
with the utmost difficulty. 

* Isaac Johnson, one of the five undertakers of this expedition (Governor 
Winthrop, Deputy Governor Dudley, Sir Richard SaltonstaU, and I\Ir. Kev- 
elle, being the other four), died September 30. Governor Winthrop says, 
" He was a holy man and wise," and that he died in " sweet peace." Hi3 
estate was larger than that of any other emigrant. He was a principal 
founder of Boston. He was buried in his own lot, which is the present 
bnrying-place near the Stone Chapel, in that city. His wife, Lady Arabella, 
was' the daughter of the Earl of Lincoln. She died at Salem, soon after her 
ai rival. Xo monument, it is said, designates her grave. Of those who 
accompanied Governor Winthrop, two hundred, at least, died before Decern- 
ber. About one hundred persons, disappointed and discouraged, returnedia 
the same ships to Sngland. 



46 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756.— SETTLEMENTS. 

10. In consideration of their perilous condition, the sixth day 
of February was appointed a day of public fasting and prayer, 
to seek deliverance from God. On the fifth of February, the 
day before the appointed fast, the ship Lion, which had been 
Bent to England for supplies, arrived laden with provisions. She 
had a stormy passage, and rode amidst heavy drifts of ice after 
entering the harbor. These provisions were distributed among 
the people according to their necessities, and their appointed 
fast was exchanged for a day of general thanksgiving. 

11. Early in 1631, two important rules were adopted at a 
meeting of the electors in General Court, namely, 1. That the 
freemen alone should have the power of electing the governor, 
deputy governor and assistants. 2. That those only should be 
made freemen who belonged to some church within the limits 
of the colony. This latter rule would not be tolerated at the 
present day. It was repealed in 1665. The design of it, how- 
ever, was good, originating in a desire to retain civil influence, as 
the order avowed, among " good and honest " men. 

12. In 1634, a still more important change was effected in 
the mode of legislation. The settlements had become so numer- 
ous and extended, that the freemen could not, without great 
inconvenience, meet and transact the public business in person. 
It was therefore ordered that the whole body of the freemen 
should be convened only for the election of the magistrates, who, 
with deputies to be chosen by the several towns, should have the 
power of enacting the laws. " Thus," observes Mr. Bancroft, 
" did the epidemic of America break out in Massachusetts, just 
fifteen years after its first appearance in Virginia. The trading 
corporation had become a representative democracy." 

13. " For ten years from this time, a discussion was had as to 
the relative powers of the assistants and deputies. Both received 
office at the hands of the people ; but the former were elected by 
the freemen of the colony, the latter by the towns. The two 
bodies uapd to meet in convention ; but the assistants claimed 
and exefcisecl the right of a separate negative vote on all joint 
proceedings." At last, in 16-14, a remedy was found for this 
long and disturbing evil, by dividing the court in their consulta- 
tions, — the magistrates and the deputies each constituting a 
separate branch, and each possessing a negative on the proceed- 
ings of the other.^ Thus commenced the separate existence of 

* This was the second House of Representatives in the American colonies ; 
the firsfc was convened at Jamestown, in Virginia, by Governor Yeardly 
June, 1619. 



ROGER WILLIAMS — SIR HENRY VANE. 47 

the democratic branch of the Legislature, or House of Represent- 
atives.^ 

14. In the autumn of 1635, Roger Williams was banished 
from the colony, for publishing novel opinions, which were deemed 
seditious and heretical, both by ministers and magistrates. He 
seems to have denied the right to possess the lands of the Indians 
by virtue of any patent from the king, or any deed from a com- 
pany, without their consent.! He also maintained that an oath 
should not be tendered to an unregcnerate man ; and, that no 
Christian could lawfully pray with such an one, though it were 
a wife or child. But while on these and other points Mr. Wil- 
liams was over scrupulous, and even at fault, the principal accusa- 
tion against him, and the chief cause of his banishment, was his 
distinguishing doctrine, that the civil power has no control over 
the religious opinions of men, — a doctrine which at the present 
day no man would venture to deny, and which shows that in 
this respect Mr. Williams was far in advance of the age. 

15. The banishment of Mr. Williams was doubtless a great 
wrong. But it is not necessary to impeach the motives of the 
pilgrim fathers. They acted from a sincere but misdirected 
desire to uphold the government and the church, both of which 
they truly believed in danger. Soon after his banishment, Mr. 
Williams removed, and laid the foundation of Rhode Island. 

16. During the same year, 1635, three thousand new settlers 
were added to the colony; among whom were Reverend Hugh 
Peters, a minister of great energy and popular eloquence, and 
Henry Vane, afterwards Sir Henry Vane, a young man distin- 
guished for his intelligence and integrity. $ By his correct deport- 
ment and winning manners, the latter so won upon the colonists, 
that the year following they elected him governor ; an " unwise 
choice," says Mr. Bancroft ; " for neither the age nor the dis- 
tinction of Vane entitled him to the honor." 

* Bancroft's United States. 

f Mr. Williams strongly contended that tho king was guilty of grievous 
wrong in selling or giving away the lands of the Indians ; and so he wrote 
him. But it should be remembered that the pilgrims acted generally on the 
very principle which Mr. Williams advocated. They did purchase the lands 
of the Indians, — often, indeed, for a trifling compensation, as it seems to 
us ; but such as satisfied the Indians.* Doctor Dwight states "that until 
Philip's War, in 1G75, not a foot of ground was claimed or occupied by the 
colonists on any other score but that of fair purchase." 

X Vane was at this time only twenty-five years of age. On his return to 
England, both he and Peters acted a conspicuous part in the civil wars of 
that country. Peters was, seme time, chaplain to Oliver Cromwell. Both 
ho and Vane were ultimately accused of high treason, convicted, and exe* 
ruled. 

* Knowles' Memoir of Roger Williams. 



48 PERIOD H. — 1607—1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

17. And the colonists soon had reason to repent their choice. 
During his administration, the celebrated Anne Hutchinson, a 
woman of great eloquence and enthusiasm, advanced certain 
mystical doctrines, one of which was the monstrous doctrine 
that the elect saints might be assured of their salvation, however 
vicious their lives might be. Many embraced her views and 
supported her cause ; among whom were Governor Vane, and 
Messrs. Cotton and Wheelright, two distinguished clergymen. 
Governor Winthrop, and a majority of the churches, however, 
deemed her sentiments heretical and seditious. Great excitement 
for a time prevailed among the people ; conferences were held, 
fasts observed ; and, at length, a general synod was called, by 
which her opinions were condemned, and she and some of her 
adherents were banished from the colony. Failing of being 
reelected, Governor Vane returned the following year to England. 
Mrs. Hutchinson sought an asylum among the Dutch, near New 
York, where she and her family, except one daughter, were some 
time afterwards massacred by the Indians. 

18. As many of the pilgrims were persons of liberal educa- 
tion, they were able to appreciate the importance of learning to 
the rising commonwealth, as among its surest safeguards. As 
early as 1636, therefore, "the General Court had laid the found- 
ation of a public school or 'college, by the appropriation of four 
hundred pounds ; and which, the next year, was located at New- 
town. In 1688, Reverend John Harvard, a pious minister of 
Charlestown, dying, left to the institution upwards of three 
thousand dollars. In consideration of this liberal benefaction, 
the General Court gave to the institution the name of " Harvard 
College ; " and, in memory of the place where many of the first 
New England settlers had received their education, that part of 
Newtown in which the college was located received the name of 
" Cambridge." " As early as 1647, Massachusetts required by 
law that every township which had fifty householders should 
have a school-house and employ a teacher, and that such as had 
one thousand freeholders should have a grammar-school." 

19. The next event of importance in our history is the union 
of the colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut and 
New Haven, by the name of The United Colonies of New 
England. The articles of this confederation, which had been 
agitated for three years, were signed May, 1643. To this union 
the colonies were strongly urged by a sense of common danger 
from the Indians (a general combination of whom was expected), 
and by the claims and encroachments of the Dutch at Manhat- 
tan, New York. 



UNION OF THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES. 49 

20. By these articles, each colony retained its distinct and 
separate government. No two colonies might be united into one, 
nor any colony be received into the confederacy, without the 
consent of the whole. Each colony was to elect two commission- 
ers, who should meet annually, and at other times if necessary, 
and should determine " all affairs of war and peace, of leacues, 
aids, charges, and numbers of men for war," &c. Upon notice 
that any colony was invaded, the rest were immediately to 
despatch assistance. 

21. This union subsisted more than forty years, until the 
charters of the colonies were either taken away or suspended, 
by James II. and his commissioners. In 1648 Rhode Island 
petitioned to be admitted to this confederacy, but was denied, 
unless she would be incorporated with Plymouth, and lose her 
separate existence. This she refused, and was consequently 
excluded. The effects of this union on the New England colonies 
were, in a high degree, salutary. On the completion of it, sev- 
eral Indian sachems, among whom were the chiefs of the Narra- 
ganset and Mohegan tribes, came forward and submitted to the 
English government. The colonies, also, became formidable, by 
means of it, to the Dutch. This union was also made subservi- 
ent to the civil and religious improvement of the Indians. 

22. Prior to this period, Mr. Mayhew and the devoted John 
Eliot had made considerable progress towards civilizing the 
Indians, and converting them to Christianity. They had learned 
the Indian language, and had preached to the Indians in their 
own tongue. Upon a report in England of what these men 
had done, a society was formed for propagating the Gospel 
among the Indians, which sent over books, money, &c, to be 
distributed by the commissioners of the United Colonies. The 
Indians, at first, made great opposition to Christianity; and 
such was their aversion to it, that, had they not been over- 
awed by the United Colonies, it is probable they would have 
put to death those among them who embraced it. Such, how- 
ever, were the ardor, energy and ability, of Messrs. Mayhew 
and Eliot, aided by the countenance and support of government, 
and blessed by Providence, that, in 1660, there were ten towns 
of converted Indians in Massachusetts. In 1695 there were 
not less than three thousand adult Indian converts in the islands 
of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. 

23. With the history of Massachusetts the early history of 
New Hampshire and of the Province of Maine is intimately con- 
nected. As early as 1641, the settlements which existed in the 
former were incorporated with Massachusetts ; and in 1652, the 

5 



50 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756.— SETTLEMENTS- 

innalbitants in the latter were, at their own request, taken under 
ner protection. As early as 1626, a few feeble settlements weru 
commenced along the coast of Maine ; but, before they had gath- 
ered much strength, the " Plymouth Council " granted to sev- 
eral companies portions of the same territory, from the Piscata- 
qua to the Penobscot. These conflicting patents gave rise, in 
after years, to long and angry litigation. 

24. In 1639 Sir Ferdinand Gorges, who had obtained a 
royal charter of the province, first established a government over 
it, and the following year a General Court was held in Saco. 
His death occurring in 1649, the officers whom he had appointed 
deserted it, upon which the inhabitants found it necessary to 
provide for themselves, and accordingly sought the jurisdiction 
of Massachusetts. 

25. In 1664 a royal fleet, destined for the reduction of the 
Dutch colonies on the Hudson, arrived in Boston, on board of 
which were four commissioners, — Colonel Nichols, commander 
of the fleet, Sir Robert Carr, George Cartwright, and Richard 
Maverick, — authorized and directed to look after the colonies 
of his majesty, and to proceed to settle the peace and security 
of the country. King Charles entertained no good will towards 
them, and the measure was considered a hostile one. 

26. The conduct of the commissioners was exceedingly arbi- 
trary and offensive. Under pretext of executing their commis- 
sion, they received complaints against the colonies from the 
Indians ; required persons, against the consent of the people, to 
be admitted to the privileges of freemen, to church membership, 
and full communion ; heard and decided in causes which had 
already been determined by the established courts ; and gave 
protection to criminals. After involving the colonies in great 
embarrassment and expense (although little attention was paid to 
their acts), they were recalled, and the colonies enjoyed a season 
of peace and prosperity, till the breaking out of King Philip's 
War. 

I'T. The year 1675 was distinguished for a memorable war in 
New England with the Indians, called King Philip's War ; by 
which the peace of the colonies was greatly disturbed, and their 
existence, for a time, seriously endangered.^ For several years 

* Massachusetts was the principal theatre of this war ; but other portions 
of New England experienced a measure of its horrors, especially Xew Hamp- 
shire. For several years previous to its occurrence, the colonies had enjoyed 
unusual peace and tranquillity. Mr. Bancroft estimates the whito popula- 
tion in New England, at this time, at fifty-five thousand ; of which he 
assigns seven thousand to Plymouth, fourteen thousand to Connecticut* 



KING PHILIP'S WAR COMMENCES. 51 

previous to the opening of the war, the Indians had regarded 
the English with growing jealousy. They saw them increasing 
in numbers, and rapidly extending their settlements. The pros- 
pect before them was humbling to the haughty descendants of 
the original lords of the soil. 

28. The principal exciter of the Indians was Philip, sachem 
of the Wampanoags, son and successor of Masassoit, who, fifty 
years before, had made a treaty with the colony of Plymouth. 
(Page 41.) The residence of Philip was at Mount Hope, in 
Bristol, Rhode Island. The immediate cause of the war was 
(he execution of three Indians by the English, whom Philip 
had excited to murder one Sausaman, an Indian missionary. 
Sausaman, being friendly to the English, had informed them 
that Philip, with several tribes, was plotting for their destruction. 
The execution of these men roused the anger of Philip, who 
armed his men and commenced hostilities. Their first attack 
was made on the 4th July, upon the people of Swanzey, in 
Plymouth colony, as they were returning from public worship, 
on a day of humiliation and prayer, appointed under an appre- 
hension of an approaching war. Eight or nine persons were 
killed. 

29. The country being immediately alarmed, the troops of 
the colony repaired to the defence of Swanzey, where, being 
joined by troops from Boston, they attacked Philip's forces, 
killing several. Philip left Mount Hope the same night ; mark- 
ing his route, however, with the burning of houses and the 
scalping of the defenceless inhabitants. It being known that the 
Narragansets favored the cause of Philip, he having sent his 

twenty-two thousand to Massachusetts proper, four thousand to each of the 
colonies Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. " Haverhill, on the 
Merrimack," he says, " was a frontier town ; from Connecticut, emigrants 
had ascended the river as far as the rich meadows of Deerfield and North- 
field ; but to the west, Berkshire was a wilderness ; Westfield -»>as the 
remotest plantation. Between the towns on Connecticut river and the clus- 
ter of towns near Massachusetts Bay, Lancaster and Brookfield were the 
solitary settlements of Christians in the desert. The colonies, except Rhode 
Island, were united ; the government of Massachusetts extended to the 
Kennebec, and included more than half the population of New England ; 
the confederacy of the colonies had been renewed, in anticipation of dan- 
gers." The number of Indians in all New England, west of the St. Croix, 
the same writer estimates at forty-five or fifty thousand. Of these, twelve 
thousand are supposed to have dwelt in Massachusetts and Plymouth, and 
only four thousand in New Hampshire. Connecticut and Bhode Island were 
quite populous. The number in Maine, also, was considerable. Great efforts 
had been made, especially in Massachusetts, by the English, to instruct and 
evangelize the Indians, by Eliot and the Mayhews. And at one time, it ia 
said, that a larger proportion of the Massachusetts Indians could read, and 
write than recently of the inhabitants of Russia. 



b2 



PERIOD II. — 1C07— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 



Women and children to them for protection, the Massachusetts 
forces, under Captain Hutchinson, proceeded into their country, 
either to renew a treaty or give them battle. Fortunately, a 
treaty was concluded, and the troops returned. 

30. On the 27th of July, news arrived that Philip was in a 
swamp at Pocasset, now Tiverton. The Massachusetts and 
Plymouth forces immediately marched to that place, and the 
next day charged the enemy in their recesses. As the troops 
entered the swamp, the Indians continued to retire. The Eng- 
lish in vain pursued, till night, when the commander ordered a 
retreat. Many of the English were killed, and the enemy took 
courage. It being impossible to encounter the Indians with 
advantage in the swamps, it was determined to starve them out ; 
but Philip apprehending their design, contrived to escape, with his 
forces, to the Nipmucks, in Worcester county, whom he induced 
to assist him. This tribe had already commenced hostilities 
against the English ; but, in the hope of reclaiming them, Cap- 
tains Wheeler and Hutchinson were sent to treat with them. 
But the Indians, having intimation of their coming, lurked in 
ambush for them, and fired upon them, killing some and mor- 
tally wounding others, of whom Captain Hutchinson was one. 

31. The remainder fled to Quaboag, Brookfield, closely pur- 
sued by the Indians, who burnt every house excepting the one 




in which the inhabitants had taken refuge. This, also, at lengtT., 
they surrounded, and "for two days continued to pour a storm of 



TRAGICAL SCENE AT MUDDY BROOK. 53 

musket-balls upon it ; with long poles they next thrust against it 
brands and combustibles ; they shot arrows of fire ; they loaded 
a cart with flax and tow, and, with long poles fastened together, 
they pushed it against the house. Destruction seemed inevita- 
ble. But when the house was kindling, and the savages stood 
ready to destroy the first that should open the door to escape, a 
torrent of rain descended, and suddenly extinguished the kin- 
dling flames." At length, Major Willard came to their relief, 
raised the siege, and destroyed a considerable number of the 
assailants. 

32. During the month of September, Hadley, Deerfield, and 
Northfield, on Connecticut river, were attacked, and several 
inhabitants killed, and many buildings consumed. Captain 
Lathrop, with several teams, and eighty young men, having been 
sent to Deerfield to transport a quantity of grain to Hadley, 
were suddenly attacked by nearly eight hundred Indians, while 
stopping at Muddy Brook to gather grapes. Resistance was 
in vain ; seventy of these young men fell, and were buried in 
one grave. Captain Mosely, then at Deerfield, hearing the 
report of the guns, hastened to the spot, and attacked the 
Indians, killed ninety-six, and wounded forty, losing but two of 
his number. 

33. Early in October, the Springfield Indians concerted a 
plan with the hostile tribes, to burn that town. Having, under 
cover of night, received two or three hundred of Philip's men 
into their fort, they set fire to the town. The plot, however, 
was discovered so seasonably, that troops from Westfield arrived 
in time to save the town, excepting thirty-two houses, which 
had been previously consumed. Soon after hostilities were com- 
menced by Philip, the Tarrenteens began their depredations in 
New Hampshire and the Province of Maine. They robbed the 
boats and plundered the houses of the English. In September, 
they fell on Saco, Scarborough and Kittery, killing between 
twenty and thirty of the inhabitants, and consigning their 
houses, barns and mills, to the flames. 

34. Elated with these successes, they next advanced towards 
the Piscataqua, committing similar outrages at Oyster River, 
Salmon Falls, Dover and Exeter. Before winter, sixty of the 
English, in that quarter, were killed, and nearly as many build- 
ings consumed. 

35. Notwithstanding the Narragansets had pledged them- 
selves, by their treaty, not to engage in the war, it was discov- 
ered that they were taking part with the enemy. Upon this, 
Governor Winslow, of Plymouth, with about one thousand eight 

5* 



64 PERIOD II.— 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

hundred troops from Massachusetts and Connecticut, and one 
hundred and sixty friendly Indians, commenced their march 
from Pettysquamscot, on the 29th of December, through a deep 
snow, towards the enemy, who were in a swamp some fifteen 
miles distant. In the middle of this swamp, on a rising ground, 
stood the fortress of the Indians, — a work of strength, com- 
posed of palisades, and surrounded by a hedge sixteen feet thick. 
One entrance only led to the fort, through the surrounding 
thicket. Upon this the English providentially fell, and, with- 
out waiting to form, rushed impetuously towards the fort. The 
English captains entered first. The resistance of the Indians 
was gallant and warlike. But at length the English were com- 
pelled to retreat. 

36. At this crisis, some Connecticut men, on the opposite side 
of the fort, discovering a place destitute of palisades, instantly 
sprang into the fort, fell upon the rear of the Indians, and, 
aided by the rest of the army, after a desperate conflict, achieved 
a complete victory. Six hundred wigwams were now set on 
fire, and an appalling scene ensued. Deep volumes of smoke 
rolled up to heaven, mingled with the dying shrieks of mothers 
and infants, which, with the aged and infirm, were consumed in 
the flames. The Indians were estimated at four thousand ; of 
whom seven hundred warriors were killed, and, three hundred 
died of their wounds ; three hundred were taken prisoners, and 
as many women and children ; the rest, except such as were con- 
sumed, fled. The victory of the English, complete as it was, 
was purchased with blood. Six brave captains fell, — Daven- 
port, Gardiner, Johnson, Gallop, Siely, and Marshall ; eighty of 
the troops were killed or mortally wounded, and one hundred 
and fifty were wounded who recovered. 

37. From this defeat the Indians never recovered. They 
were not yet, however, effectually subdued. During the winter 
they continued their savage work of murdering and burning. 
The towns of Lancaster,^ Medfield, Weymouth, Groton, Spring- 

* Pen can scarcely describe the distresses of the people of Lancaster, dur- 
ing this savage visitation. Forty -two persons sought shelter under the roof 
of Mary Rowlandson; and after a hot assault, the Indians succeeded in set 
ting the house on fire. " Quickly," Mrs. Rowlandson says, " it was the 
dulefulest day that mine eyes ever saw. Now the dreadful hour is come 
Some in our house were fighting for their lives ; others wallowing in blood ; 
the house on fire over our heads, and the bloody heathens ready to knock 
us on the head, if we stirred out. I took my children to go forth ; but the 
Indians shot so thick, that the bullets rattled against the house as if one 
had thrown a handful of stones. We had six stout dogs, but none of them 
would stir. * * * The bullets flying thick, one went through my side, 
and through my poor ehild in my arms .' " The brutalities of an Indian 



DEATH OF PHILIP. 55 

field, Northampton, Sudbury, and Marlboro,' in Massachusetts, 
and of Warwick and Providence, in Khode Island, were as- 
saulted, and some of them partly, and others wholly, destroyed. 
The success of the Indians, during the winter, had been great ; 
but, on the return of spring, the tide turned against them. The 
Narraganset country was scoured, and many of the natives were 
killed, among whom was Canonchet, their chief sachem.^ 

38. On the 22d of August, 1676, the finishing stroke was 
given to the war in the United Colonies, by the death of Philip. 
After his flight from Mount Hope, he had attempted to rouse 
the Mohawks against the English. To effect this purpose, he 
killed, at various times, several of that tribe, and charged it upon 
the English. But, his iniquity being discovered, he was obliged 
hastily to flee, and returned to Mount Hope. Tidings of his 
return being brought to Captain Church, a man who had been of 
eminent service in this war, and who was better able than any 
other person to provide against the wiles of the enemy, he 
immediately proceeded to the place of Philip's concealment, near 
Mount Hope, accompanied by a small body of men. On hig 
arrival, he placed his men in ambushes round the swamp, charg- 
ing them not to move till daylight, that they might distinguish 
Philip, should he attempt to escape. Such was his confidence 
of success, that, taking Major Sandford by the hand, he said, 
"It is scarcely possible that Philip should escape." At that 
instant, a bullet whistled over their heads, and a volley fol- 
io wed. 

39. The firing proceeded from Philip and his men, who were 
now in view. Perceiving his peril, the savage chief hastily 
seized his powder-horn and gun, and fled ; but, directing his 
course towards a spot where an Englishman and an Indian lay 
concealed, the former levelled his gun ; but, missing fire, the In- 
dian drew, and shot him through the heart. Captain Church 

<uassacre followed. Mrs. Rowlandson was taken captive, with one poor 
wounded babe. She adds, " Down I must sit in the snow, with my sick 
child, the picture of death, in my lap. Xot the least crumb of refreshment 
came within either of our mouths from Wednesday night to Saturday night, 
except a little cold water." Little do the mothers of the land at the present 
day know of the " sorrows of woman of a former generation." 

* Canonchet was a savage, but he had the courage and fortitude of a hero. 
"We will fight to the last man," said the gallant chieftain, " rather than 
become servants to the English." When taken prisoner near the Black- 
stone, a young Englishman began to question him. " Child," said he, " you 
no understand war; I will answer your chief." His life was offered him, if 
he would procure a treaty of peace; he refused the offer with disdain. "I 
know," said he, "the Indians will not yield." When condemned to death,. 
his only reply was, "I like it well; I shall die before 1 speak anything 
Unworthy of myself." 



56 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

ordered him to be beheaded and quartered. The Indian wha 
executed this order pronounced the warrior's epitaph : " Yoij 
have been one very great man. You have made many a man 
afraid of you. But so big as you be, I will now chop you to 
pieces." 

40. Thus fell a savage hero and patriot, — of whose trans 
cendent abilities our history furnishes melancholy evidence. 
The advantage of civilized education, and a wider theatre of 
action, might have made the name of Philip of Mount Hope as 
memorable as that of Alexander or Caesar. After the death 
of Philip, the war continued in the Province of Maine, till the 
spring of 1678. But westward, the Indians, having lost their 
chiefs, wigwams and provisions, came in singly, by tens and 
by hundreds, and submitted to the English. Thus closed a 
melancholy period in the annals of New England, during which 
six hundred men had fallen, twelve or thirteen towns had been 
destroyed, and six hundred dwelling-houses consumed. Every 
eleventh family was houseless, and every eleventh soldier had 
sunk to his grave. So costly was the inheritance which our 
fathers have transmitted to us ! 

41 ( In 1677 a controversy which had subsisted for some 
time between the colony of Massachusetts and the heirs of Sir 
Ferdinando Gorges,*)relative to the Province of Maine, was 
decided in England, and the colony adjudged to Gorges' heirs. 
Upon this, Massachusetts purchased the title, for one thousand 
two hundred pounds sterling, and the territory^ from that time 
till 1820,/was a part of Massachusetts. The claim of Massa- 
chusetts to the province was founded upon her patent of 1628, 
which was construed as including the latter. (See page 43.) 
The claim of Gorges' heirs, on the other hand, was founded upon 
a charter to Gorges, in 1639, of all the lands from the Piscata- . 
qua to the Sagadahoc, styled the Province of Maine, i'ln 1652 J 
the province was taken under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, 
and was erected into a county, by the name of Yorkshire, and 
was represented in the General Court, at Boston. (In 1692 jfche 
territory was incorporated with Massachusetts ; and, although 
repeated efforts were made by a portion of the inhabitants to 
effect a separation, the connection continued | till 1818/ when a 
separation took place, and March 16, 1820, Maine became an 
independent State of the Union. 

42 J Two years after the above decisiorf in regard to the Prov- 
ince of Maine, — namely, in 1679,{ — jan order was issued by th$ 
erown for the separation of New Hampshire from the jurisdic 



CRUEL CONDUCT OF KING JAMES. 57 

fcion of Massachusetts,^ and its erection into a royal province, 
lover which was established the first royal government in 
New England.! The form of government prescribed by the 
king ordained a president and council to govern the province, 
with an assembly, &c. ; the assembly to be chosen by the peo- 
ple, the president and council to be appointed by the crown. 
f The colony had been under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts 
Bincef 1640,|— nearly forty years, -f- the patent holders having 
that year agreed to surrender the jurisdiction of the territory to 
Massachusetts. 

43. In the year|1684| June 28, Jan event highly interesting 
to the colony of Massachusetts occurred in England. This was 
a decision, in the high court of chancery^that she had forfeited 
her charter, and»that henceforth her government should be 
placed in the hands of the king. \ Before King Charles had 
time to adjust the affairs of the colony, he died, and was 
succeeded by James II. Soon after his accession^ similar pro- 
ceedings took place against the other colonies. I [Rhode Island 
submitted, and relinquished her charter.} {Plymouth sent a 
copy of her charter to the king, with an humble petition 
that he would restore it. f | Connecticut voted an address to his 
majesty, in which she prayed him to recall the writ that had 
been tiled against her, and requested the continuance of her 
charter. ) - 

44. |The petitions and remonstrances of the colonies were, 
however, of no avail. I After all their hardships and dangers in 
settling a wilderness, they had no other prospect before them 
but the destruction of their dearest rights, and no better security 
of life, liberty and property, than the capricious will of a tyrant. 
In pursuance of this cruel policy, two years after the charter 
of Massachusetts was vacated, *King James commissioned and 
sent out Sir Edmund Andros .as Governor of all New England, 
Plymouth excepted. 

45. On his arrival at Boston,! December 30th, 1686, f he 
entered upon his administration ; which, at the commencement, 
was comparatively auspicious. But in a few months the fair 
prospect was changed. Among other arbitrary acts, restraints 
were laid upon the freedom of the press, and marriage contracts. 
The liberty to worship after the Congregational mode was threat* 
ened, and the fee3 of all officers of government were exorbitantly 
and oppressively enhanced. 

46. The condition of the New England colonies was now dis< 

* The separation actually took place in 1780. 



b8 PERIOD 17 —1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS 

tressino-, and, as the administration of Andros was becoming 
etill more severe and oppressive, the future seemed to promise 
no alleviation. But Providence was invisibly preparing the 
way for their relief. In November, 1688, William, Prince of 
Orange, who married Mary, daughter of James II., landed at 
Torbay, in England, and, compelling James II. to leave the 
kingdom, assumed the crown, — being proclaimed February, 
1689, to the general joy of the nation. 

47. Under the sudden impulse of their feelings, on the news 
of the revolution in England, the inhabitants of Boston impris- 
oned Andros and fifty of his associates, and sent them to Eng- 
land to answer for mal -administration, at the same time reestab- 
lishing their former mode of government. 

48. On leaving England, James fled to Louis XIV., King 
of France, who espoused his cause. This kindled the flames of 
war between the two countries, which extended to their colonial 
possessions in America, and which continued from 1690 to the 
peace of Ryswick, in 1697. This is commonly known as " King 
William's War." 

49. The opening of this war was signalized by the most 
shocking barbarities, perpetrated by different parties of French 
and Indians upon settlements in the northern colonies. In 
July, 1689, Major Waldron and twenty of the garrison at Dover 
village, in New Hampshire, were surprised and murdered, and 
twenty-nine captives taken to Canada, most of whom were sold to 
the French. In 1690, February 18, three hundred French and 
Indians fell upon Schenectady,^ a village on the Mohawk, and 
burnt it. Salmon Falls, a settlement on the east side of the 
Piscataqua, in Maine, was destroyed in the following March ; 
and in May, Casco, a fort and settlement also in Maine, shared 
a similar fate. Roused by these proceedings of the French, the 
colony of Massachusetts resolved to attack the enemy in turn. 
Accordingly, an expedition, consisting of seven vessels and eight 
hundred men, under command of Sir William Phipps, sailed, in 

* The circumstances attending the burning of Schenectady were of the 
most tragical kind. The season was cold, and the snow so deep that it was 
deemed impossible for an enemy to approach. The attack was made in the 
dead of the night. Not a sentinel was awake to announce the approaching 
danger. Care had been taken, by a division of the enemy, to attack almost 
every house in the same moment. When the preparations were ready, the 
appalling war-whoop was begun ; houses were broken open and set on fire ; 
men and women were dragged from their beds, and, with their sleeping 
infants, were inhumanly murdered. Sixty persons perished in the massacre, 
thirty were made prisoners, while the rest of the inhabitants, mostly naked, 
fled through a deep snow, either suffering extremely, or perishing in the 
told. 



EXPEDITION AGAINST MONTREAL AND QUEBEC. 59 

May, for the reduction of Port Royal, in Nova Scotia, which 
Was easily and speedily effected. 

50. In the latter part of the same year, an expedition was 
planned by the colonies of New York, Connecticut, and Massa- 
chusetts unitedly, for the redaction of Montreal and Que- 
bec. Two thousand troops, furnished by the two former colo- 
nies, were to proceed to the attack of Montreal, by way of Lake 
Champlain, while a naval armament furnished by Massachusetts, 
under command of Sir William Phipps, with a similar number 
of troops, should invest Quebec. But the troops destined for 
Montreal, not being supplied either with boats or provisions suf- 
ficient for crossing the lake, were obliged to return. The naval 
expedition did not reach Quebec until October. After spending 
several days in consultation, the landing of the troops was effected, 
and they began their march for the town. At the same time, 
the ships were drawn up ; but the attack, both by land and 
water, was alike unsuccessful. The troops were soon after reem- 
barked; and the weather, proving tempestuous, scattered the 
fleet and terminated the expedition. The success of the expedi- 
tion had been so confidently anticipated, that provision had not 
been made for the payment of the troops ; there was danger, 
therefore, of a mutiny. In this extremity, Massachusetts issued 
bills of credit, as a substitute for money ; the first emission of 
the kind in the American colonies. 

51. In 1692, King William, who had refused to restore to 
Massachusetts her former charter, granted a new one, almost the 
only privilege of which it allowed the people was the right of 
choosing their representatives.^ But it greatly extended the 
limits of the province, embracing, besides the former territory, 
Plymouth, Maine, and Nova Scotia. 

52. To render the new charter the more acceptable, Sir Wil- 
liam Phipps, who was a native of the colony, was appointed 
governor; and on the 24th of May, 1692, he arrived in Boston 
with the new charter. No opposition was made by the inhabit- 
ants to the new government, whatever regret was felt at the loss 
of their former charter. 

53. Among the first acts of the new governor and his coun- 
cil was the institution of a court to try certain persons in the 

* The king reserved to himself the right of appointing the governor, lieu- 
tenant-governor, and secretary, of the colony, and of repealing the laws 
within three years after their passage. The Legislature was now composed 
of three branches, — a governor, representatives, and a council, — the last t<s 
be chosen by the representatives, subject to the negative of the governor. 
The restrictions imposed by the charter were grievous, and served to alien- 
ate the people from the mother country. 



60 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

colony accused of Witchcraft. A law punishing this pupposed 
crime with death existed in England, and under it many had 
been tried and executed ; a belief in the existence of such evil 
possessions was current on both sides of the water. 

54. The first suspicion of witchcraft in the New England 
colonies began at Springfield, Massachusetts, as early as 1645 
Several persons were, about that time, tried and executed, 
in Massachusetts ; one at Charlestown, one at Dorchester, one 
at Cambridge, and one at Boston. For almost thirty years 
afterwards, the subject rested. But, in 1687 or 1688, it was 
revived in Boston ; four of the children of John Goodwin unit- 
ing in accusing a poor Irish woman with bewitching them. 
Unhappily, the accusation was regarded with attention, and the 
woman was tried and executed. Near the close of February, 
1692, the subject was again revived, in consequence of several 
children in Dan vers, then a part of Salem, beginning to act in a 
peculiar and unaccountable manner. Their strange conduct, 
continuing for several days, their friends betook themselves 
to fasting and prayer. During religious exercises, it was 
found that the children were generally decent and still; but 
after service was ended, they renewed their former inexpli- 
cable conduct. This was deemed sufficient evidence of witch- 
craft. 

55. At the expiration of some days, the children began to 
accuse several persons in the neighborhood of bewitching them. 
Unfortunately, they were credited, and the suspected authors of 
the spells were seized and imprisoned. From this date, the 
awful mania rapidly spread into the neighboring country, and 
soon appeared in various parts of Essex, Middlesex, and Suffolk. 
Persons at Andover, Ipswich, Gloucester, Boston, and several 
other places, were accused by their neighbors and others. For 
some time, the victims were selected only from the lower classes. 
But, at length, the accusations fell upon persons of the most 
respectable rank. In August, Mr. George Burroughs, some 
time minister in Salem, was accused, brought to trial, and con- 
demned. Accusations were also brought against Mr. English, a 
respectable merchant in Salem and his wife ; against Messrs. 
Dudley and John Bradstreet, sons of the then late Governor 
Bradstreet ; against the wife of Mr. Hale, and the lady of Sir 
William Phipps. The evil had now become alarming. One 
man, named Giles Corey, had been pressed to death for refusing 
to put himself on a trial by jury ; and nineteen persons had 
been executed, more than one-third of whom were members o^ 



NEW ENGLAND WITCHCRAFT. 61 

the church. One hundred and fifty were in prison, and two 
hundred were accused. 

56. At length a conviction began to prevail that the proceed- 
ings had been rash and indefensible. A special court was held 
on the subject, and fifty who were brought to trial were acquitted, 
excepting three, who were afterwards reprieved by the governor. 
These events were followed by a general release of those who 
had been imprisoned. " Thus the cloud," says the late Presi- 
dent D wight, " which had so long hung over the colony, slowly 
and sullenly retired ; and, like the darkness of Egypt, was, to 
the great joy of the distressed inhabitants, succeeded by serenity 
and sunshine." * 

57. For several years, the war with the French and Indiana 
continued, and atrocities of the most barbarous kind were com- 
mitted. In 1694, Oyster Hiver, a settlement not far from 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was attacked, and nearly one hun- 
dred persons either killed or carried away captive. In March, 
1697, Haverhill, Mass., was assaulted by a body of savages, and 
forty of the inhabitants were either murdered or taken prisoners. 
But, at length, September 20th of the same year, a treaty waa 
concluded at Ryswick, a town in the west of Holland, which put 
an end to hostilities between France and England, and which 
restored countries, forts and colonies, to their former pro- 
prietors.! 

* We who live to look back upon this scene are wont to contemplate with 
wonder the seeming madness and infatuation, not of the weak, illiterate, 
and unprincipled, but of men of sense, education, and fervent piety. Let us 
consider, however, that, at this period, the actual existence of witchcraft 
was taken for granted, and tbat doubts respecting it were deemed little lew 
than heresy. The learned Baxter, who lived at this time in England, where 
the same notions on this subject prevailed, pronounced the disbeliever in 
witchcraft an "obdurate Sadducee;" and Sir Matthew Hale, one of the 
brightest ornaments of the English bench, repeatedly tried and condemned 
those as criminals who were accused of witchcraft. 

In conclusion, it may be remarked tbat no people on earth are now more 
enlightened on this subject than are the people of America. Nothing of a 
similar kind has since existed, and probably never will exist. Stories of 
wonder, founded upon ancient tradition, or upon a midnight adventure, 
sometimes awe the village circle on a winter's night; but the succeeding 
day chases away every ghost, and lulls every fear. It becomes the present 
generation to advert with gratitude to their freedom from those delusions 
which distressed and agitated their ancestors, rather than to bestow invec- 
tives upon them, since they could plead, in palliation of their error, the 
spirit of the age in which they lived. 

f King William's War, which was thus brought to a close, had been marked 
by atrocities, on the part of the French and Indians, until then unknown in 
the history of the colonies. 

The details of individual sufferings which occurred, were they faifchfullj 

6 



62 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

58. The peace of Ryswick proved of short duration, when 
England and France were again involved in war. Three princi- 
pal causes operated to produce hostilities : 1. The acknowledg- 
ment by France of Charles Edward, commonly known as the 
Pretender, to the throne of England, on the death of his father, 



recorded, would excite the sympathies of the most unfeeling bosom. One 
instance only can we relate. 

In an attack, by a body of Indians, on Haverhill, Massachusetts, in the 
winter of 1697, the concluding year of the war, a party of the assailants 
approached the house of a Mr. Dustan. Upon the first alarm, he flew from 
a neighboring field to his family. Seven of his children he directed to flee, 
while he himself went to assist his wife, who was confined to the bed with 
an infant a week old. But before she could leave her bed, the savages 
arrived. 

In despair of rendering her assistance, Mr. Dustan flew to the door, 
mounted his horse, and determined, in his own mind, to snatch up aud save 
the child which he loved the best ; but, upon coming up to them, he found 
it impossible to make a selection. He determined, therefore, to meet his 
fate with them ; to defend and save them from their pursuers, or die by their 
side. 

A body of Indians soon came up with him, and, from short distances, fired 
upon him and his little company. For more than a mile, he continued to 
retreat, placing himself between his children and the fire of the savages, 
and returning their shots with great spirit and success. At length, he saw 
them all safely lodged, from their bloody pursuers, in a distant house. 

As Mr. Dustan quitted his house, a party of Indians entered it. Mrs. 
Dustan was in bed; but they ordered her to rise, and, before she could com- 
pletely dress herself, obliged her and her nurse, a Mrs. Teff, to quit the 
house, which they plundered and set on fire. 

In these distressing circumstances, Mrs. Dustan began her march, with 
other captives, into the wilderness. The air was keen, and their path led 
alternately through snow and deep mud, and her savage conductors delighted 
rather in the infliction of torment than the alleviation of distress. 

The company had proceeded but a short distance, when an Indian, think- 
ing the infant an incumbrance, took it from the nurse's arms, and violently 
terminated its life. Such of the other captives as began to be weary, and 
incapable of proceeding, the Indians killed with their tomahawks. Feeble 
as Mrs. Dustan was, both she and her nurse sustained, with wonderful 
energy, the fatigue and misery attending a journey of one hundred and fifty 
miles. 

On their arrival at the place of their destination, they found the wigwam 
of the savage who claimed them as his personal property to be inhabited by 
twelve Indians. In the ensuing April, this family set out, with their cap- 
tives, for an Indian settlement still more remote. The captives "were in- 
formed that, on their arrival at the settlement, they must submit to be 
stripped, scourged, and run the gauntlet between two files of Indians. This 
information carried distress to the minds of the captive women, and led them 
promptly to devise some means of escape. 

Early in the morning of the 10th of May, Mrs. Dustan awaking her 
nurse and another fellow-prisoner, they despatched ten of the twelve Indians, 
while asleep. The other two escaped. The women then pursued their diiii- 
cult and toilsome journey through the wilderness, and at length arrived in 
safety at Haverhill. Subsequently, they visited Boston, and received, at 
the hand of the General Court, a handsome consideration for their extraordi* 
nary sufferings and heroic conduct. 



QUEEN ANNE'S WAK. 63 

James II., when the latter kingdom had settled the crown on 
Anne, second daughter of James. 2. The attempt of Louis 
XIV. to destroy the balance of power in Europe, by placing 
Philip of Anjou, his grandson, on the throne of Spain. And, 3. 
Certain pretensions by the French king to privileges in America, 
denied as rightfully his by the English crown. For these and 
other reasons, England declared war against France, which con- 
tinued from 1702 to the peace of Utrecht, April 11, 1713. 
This is commonly known as " Queen Anne's War." 

59. The whole weight of this war, in America, unexpectedly 
fell on New England. The geographical position of New York 
particularly exposed that colony to a combined attack from the 
lakes and sea ; but just before the commencement of hostilities, a 
treaty of neutrality was concluded between the Five Nations and 
the French governor in Canada. The local situation of the Five 
Nations, bordering on the frontiers of New York, prevented the 
French from molesting that colony. Massachusetts and New 
Hampshire were thus left to bear the chief calamities of the 
war. 

60. The declaration of war was immediately followed by in- 
cursions of French and Indians from Canada into these colonies 
who seized every opportunity of annoying the inhabitants by 
depredation and outrage.^ 

* On Tuesday, March 11th, 1704, at daybreak, four hundred and fifty 
French and Indians, under command of the infamous Hextel de Rouville, fell 
upon Deerfield, Massachusetts. Unhappily, not only the inhabitants, but 
even the watch, were asleep. They soon made themselves masters of the 
house in which the garrison was kept. Proceeding thence to the house of 
Mr. Williams, the clergyman, they forced the doors, and entered the room 
where he was sleeping. 

Awaked by the noise, Mr. Williams seized his pistol, and snapped it at 
the Indian who first approached; but it missed fire. Mr. "Williams was now 
seized, disarmed, bound, and kept standing, without his clothes, in the 
intense cold, nearly an hour. 

His house was next plundered, and two of his children, together with a 
black female servant, were butchered before his eyes. The savages, at 
length, suffered his wife and five children to put on their clothes, after which 
ho was himself allowed to dress, and prepare for a long and melancholy 
journey. 

The whole town around them was now on fire. Every house, but the one 
next to Mr. Williams', was consumed. Having completed their work of 
destruction, in burning the town and killing forty-seven persons, the enemy 
nastily retreated, taking with them one hundred of the inhabitants, among 
whom were Mr. Williams and his family. 

The first night after their departure from Deerfield, the savages murdered 
Mr. Williams' servant; and, on the day succeeding, finding Mrs. Williams 
unable to keep pace with the rest, plunged a hatchet into her head. Sho 
had recently borne an infant, and was not yet recovered. But her husband 
Iras not permitted to assist her. He himself was lame, bound, insulted, 



64 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756.— SETTLEMENTS. 

61. In the spring of 1707, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and 
New Hampshire, despatched an armament against Port Royal, 
in Nova Scotia. The expedition, consisting of one thousand 
men, sailed from Nantucket in twenty-three transports, under 
convoy of the Deptfort man-of-war, and the Province galley. 
After a short voyage, they arrived at Port Royal ; but March, 
the commander of the expedition, though a brave man, being 
unfit to lead in an enterprise so difficult, little was done beyond 
burning a few houses and killing a few cattle. 

62. In 1710, another attempt was made to reduce the place, 
in connection with a fleet from England, under command of 
Colonel Nicholson. New England furnished five regiments of 
troops. The armament left Boston in September, and on the 
12th October demanded a surrender of the place. The garrison, 
being weak and dispirited, surrendered on the 13th, upon which 
the name of the place was changed to Annapolis, in honor of 
Queen Anne; and from this time Acadia, or Nova Scotia, 
became a dependency of the British crown. 

63. The following year, a plan was projected for the conquest 
of Canada, in pursuance of which an armament, under Sir Hov- 
enden Walker, arrived in Boston, July 6th. Additional forces 
were promptly raised by the colonies ; and at length, August 
10th, the whole force, consisting of fifteen men-of-war, forty 
transports, and nearly seven thousand troops, departed for the 
object in view. Shortly after the departure of the fleet, Gen- 
eral Nicholson proceeded from Albany towards Canada, at the 
head of four thousand men, furnished by the colonies of Connect- 
icut, New York, and New Jersey. 

64. The fleet reached the St. Lawrence in safety, but, in 
ascending that river, eight or nine British transports were lost, 
and nearly one thousand men. Upon this disaster, the fleet 
sailed directly for England, and the provincial troops returned 
home. General Nicholson, who had advanced to Lake George, 
hearing of the fate of the naval expedition on the St. Lawrence, 
abandoned the enterprise. The failure of the expedition was 

threatened, and nearly famished; but what were personal sufferings like 
these, and even greater than these, to the sight of a wife, under circuin 
stances so tender, inhumanly butchered before his ej^es ! Before the journey 
was ended, seventeen others shared the melancholy fate of Mrs. Williams. 

On their arrival in Canada, it may be added, Mr »Villiams was treated 
with civility by the French. At the end of two years, he was redeemed, 
with fifty-seven others, and returned to Deerfield, where, after twelve years' 
labor in the Gospel, he entered into his rest. A little daughter of Mr. 
Williams, it is related, continued to reside with the Indians for many years, 
and, at length, was married to a Mohawk chief. 



KING GEORGE'S WAR. 65 

unjustly imputed by the mother country to New England ; nor 
did the colonies receive any credit for their vigorous exertions in 
raising men and fitting out the fleet. 

65. Two years later, April 11th, 1713, a treaty concluded at 
Utrecht, a city of Holland, put an end to "Queen Anne's War." 
After the peace was known in America, the eastern Indians sent 
in a flag, and sued for peace. The Governor of Massachusetts, 
with his council, and that of New Hampshire, met them at Ports- 
mouth, and entered into terms of pacification. 

66. After enjoying a state of comparative peace and prosper- 
ity for nearly thirty years following " Queen Anne's War," the 
news of war between France and England again reached the 
American shores, — hostilities being declared by the former 
March 15th, and by the latter April 9th, 1744. This is com- 
monly called "King George's War." It originated in dis- 
putes regarding the kingdom of Austria. 

67. The most important event of this war in America was the 
seizure and capture of Louisburg. After the peace of Utrecht, 
in 1713, the French had built Louisburg, on the Island of Cape 
Breton, and fortified it at an expense of five and a half millions 
of dollars. The works had been twenty-five years in building, 
and were of such strength that the place was sometimes regarded 
as " the Gibraltar of America." 

68. Impressed with the importance of rescuing this fortress 
from the French, as it furnished a convenient retreat to such 
privateers as annoyed those engaged in the fisheries, Governor 
Shirley, of Massachusetts, in January, 1745, communicated a 
plan to the Legislature which he had formed for its reduction. 
The measure was adopted only by a majority of a single voice, 
so serious were the objections urged against it. Connecticut, 
New Hampshire and Rhode Island, raised their respective 
quotas of troops ; New York furnished artillery, and Pennsyl- 
vania provisions. The troops numbered four thousand, and tho 
naval force consisted of twelve ships and vessels. 

69. The cooperation of Commodore Warren, then in the West 
Indies, was expected ; and when at the moment their hopes were 
likely to be disappointed in regard to his aid, — he having 
excused himself from any concern in the enterprise, — he joined 
the expedition with his fleet at Canso. On the 11th of May 
the combined forces appeared off Louisburg, and effected a land- 
ing at Gabarus Bay, the enemy being, until this moment, igno- 
rant that an attack was meditated. 

70. After several preliminary movements, a siege was com« 
menced, and for fourteen nights they were occupied in drawing 

6* 



66 



PERIOD II. — 1G07— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 



cannon towards the town, over a morass, in which oxen and 
horses could not be used. Incredible was the toil. By the 
31st of May, several batteries had been erected, one of which 
mounted five forty-two pounders. These batteries did great 
execution. 




71. Meanwhile, Commodore Warren captured the Vigilant, a 
French ship of seventy-four guns, and with her five hundred and 
sixty men, and large quantities of military stores. By this cap- 
ture the English added to their military supplies, and seriously 
lessened the strength of the enemy. Shortly after, the number 
of the English fleet was considerably augmented by the arrival 
of several men-of-war. A combined attack by sea and land 
was now determined on, and fixed for the 29th of June. Be- 
fore the arrival of the appointed time, however, the enemy 
desired a cessation of hostilities ; and, on the 28th of June, 
after a siege of forty-nine days, the city of Louisburg and 
the Island of Cape Breton were surrendered to his Britannic 
majesty. 

72. Thus successfully terminated a daring expedition, which 
had been undertaken without the knowledge of the mother 
country. The acquisition of the fortress of Louisburg was as 
useful and important to the colonies, and to the British empire, 
as its reduction was surprising to that empire and mortifying to 
the court of France. Besides the stores and prizes which fell 
into the hands of the English, — estimated at little less than a 



N,°3. 




CAPTURE OF LOUISBURG. 07 

million sterling, — security was given to the colonies in their 
fisheries, Nova Scotia was preserved, and the trade and fisheries 
of France nearly ruined. 

73. The capture of Louisburg roused the court of France to 
revenge. Under the Duke D'Anville, a nobleman of great cour- 
age, an armament was despatched to America, in 1746, consist- 
ing of forty ships-of-war, fifty-six transports, with three thou- 
sand five hundred men, and forty thousand stands of arms for 
the use of the French and Indians in Canada. The object of 
this expedition was to recover possession of Cape Breton, and to 
attack the colonies. But several ships of this formidable French 
fleet were damaged by storms ; others were lost, and one forced 
to return to Brest, on account of a malignant disease among her 
crew. Two or three only of the ships, with a few of the trans- 
ports, arrived at Chebucto, now Halifax. Here the admiral 
died, through mortification, or, as some say, by poison. The 
vice-admiral came to a similar tragical death, by running him- 
self through the body. That part of the fleet that arrived sailed 
with a view to attack Annapolis ; but a storm scattered them, 
and prevented the accomplishment of this object. 

74. In April, 1748, preliminaries of peace were signed 
between France and England, at Aix-la-Chapelle, a city in the 
western part of Germany, soon after which hostilities ceased. 
The definitive treaty was signed in October. Prisoners on all 
sides were to be released without ransom, and all conquests 
made during the war were to be mutually restored. 

III. Maine. — 1. Maine was so called, as early as 1639, 
from Meyne, in France, of which Henrietta Maria, Queen of 
France, was at that time proprietor. Maine is not generally 
reckoned as a distinct colony or province, her history being long 
blended with that of Massachusetts, where the pupil will find an 
account of its first settlement, &c. 

2. As early as 1626 a few feeble settlements were commenced 
along the coast of Maine ; but, before they had gathered much 
strength, the Council of Plymouth granted to several companies 
portions of the same territory, from the Piscataqua to the Penob- 
scot, which grants, in after years, were the source of serious con- 
troversies. 

3. But in 1639 Sir Ferdinand Gorges secured to himself a 
distinct charter of all the land from Piscataqua to Sagadahock, 
which received the name of the Province of Maine. Soon after 
this, he formed a system of government for the province, and 
incorporated a city near the mountain Agamenticus, in York, 
by the name of Georgeana ; but neither the province nor city 



68 PERIOD II. — 1C07 -1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

flourished. In 1652, the province was taken under the juris* 
diction of Massachusetts, by the request of the people of Maine ; 
and continued in this connection till near 1820, when it became 
a separate and independent state. 

4. It would exceed our limits to examine the different grants 
of territory which were made, at different times, of the State of 
Maine. In 1652, at the time the province was taken under the 
jurisdiction of Massachusetts, it was made a county, by the 
name of Yorkshire. It had the privilege of sending deputies to 
the General Court, at Boston. Massachusetts laid claim to the 
province, as lying within her charter of 1628 ; and, after various 
controversies, the territory was incorporated with her in 1692. 
In 1786, 1787, 1802, and 1816, efforts were made by a portion 
of the people of Maine to become separate from Massachusetts 
proper ; but to this a majority of the inhabitants were averse. 
In 1818, however, this measure was effected; and on the 16th 
of March, 1820, the district, by an act of Congress, became an 
independent state. 

5. The early settlements in Maine suffered untold calamities 
from savage cruelty. In different years, Salmon Falls, Casco, 
Berwick, Wells, and other places, were laid waste, their inhab- 
itants murdered, or led into a captivity worse than death. But 
if Maine early drank deep of the cup of affliction, that cup has 
passed away, and for many years she has been increasing rapidly 
in population, wealth, and moral strength. 

III. NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

1. New Hampshire derives her beautiful name from Hamp- 
shire, a county in England, and was first applied to the territory 
in 1629, in honor of Captain John Mason, Governor of Ports- 
mouth, in Hampshire, England, and also proprietor of the terri- 
tory now so called. 

2. At an earlier year, however, — namely, 1622, — this same 
Captain Mason, Sir Ferdinand Gorges, and others, had obtained 
of the " Council of Plymouth" a grant of land partly in Maine 
and partly in New Hampshire, which they called Laconia. In. 
the spring of 1623 they sent two small parties of emigrants to 
settle it. Some of these commenced the settlement of Little 
Harbor, on the west side of the Piscataqua river, a short distance 
from the present site of Portsmouth ; the others planted them- 
selves at Cocheco, afterwards called Dover, further up the river. 
The principal employment of these new settlers was fishing and 
trade 



EVENTS RELATING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE. 69 

3. In 1629, the Reverend John Wheelright, a former patron 
of Anne Hutchinson (p. 48), purchased of the Indians the ter- 
ritory lying between the Merrimack and the Piscataqua rivers. 
He afterward laid the foundation of Exeter. During the same 
year, this tract of country, which was a part of the grant to 
Gorges and Mason, was conveyed to Mason alone, and now 
received the name of New Hampshire. By him the first house 
was erected at Portsmouth, in 1631. 

4. In 1641, the several settlements in New Hampshire formed 
a eoalition with Massachusetts, whose protection they enjoyed 
nearly forty years. In 1680, however, the territory was sep- 
arated from that colony, by order of the king, and constituted a 
royal province, to be governed by a president and council, 
appointed by the crown, and a house of representatives, 
elected by the people (p. 57). No change of land titles was 
effected. 

5. The first legislative assembly under the royal charter was 
held in March, 1680. It consisted of eleven members. A 
declaration in the code of laws passed by this assembly gave 
great umbrage to the king, indicating, as he thought, an unwar- 
rantable spirit of independence. " No act, imposition, law, or 
ordinance," the declaration proceeded to say, " shall be imposed 
upon the inhabitants of the province, but such as shall be made 
by the assembly, and approved by the president and council." 
This is said to have been twelve years in advance of a similar 
enactment in Massachusetts. Thus early did a spirit of liberty 
and independence germinate among the granite hills of New 
Hampshire, and give promise of fruit which came to full matur- 
ity in after years. 

6. Robert Mason, grandson and heir of John Mason, having 
himself been appointed one of the council, arrived in New 
Hampshire in 1681, and, by virtue of his claim to the territory, 
assumed the title of " Lord Proprietor," and demanded that 
leases should be taken out under him. His claims and demands, 
however, were resisted in the courts of law ; and although judg- 
ments were obtained against landlords in the province, so uni- 
versal and determined was the hostility of the people to Mason, 
that they could not be enforced. 

7. For several years, the same governor presided over Massa- 
ehusetts and New Hampshire. At the time of the revolution in 
England, however, in 1689, when Andros was seized and 
imprisoned in Massachusetts, the people of New Hampshire, 
assuming the government, again placed themselves under tha 
jurisdiction of that colony. This was in 1690. In 1692, a 



70 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

separation was again effected, and a royal government reestab* 
lished. In 1699, the two provinces were once more united, and 
the Earl of Bellamont was appointed governor of both. 

8. In 1691, Samuel Allen purchased, of the heirs of Mason 
all their titles to lands in New Hampshire, and for several years 
grievously annoyed the people, by the prosecution of these pur- 
chased claims. In 1715, however, his heirs, not being able to 
substantiate them, gave up the controversy, upon which a 
descendant of Mason revived his claims, alleging a defect in the 
conveyance of Allen ; but, at length, this long and unhappy con- 
troversy was terminated, the heirs of Mason consenting to take 
only the unoccupied portions of the province, and releasing all 
others. 

9. In 1741, the final separation of the two provinces, Massa- 
chusetts and New Hampshire, took place, at which time a sepa- 
rate governor was appointed for each.^ 

* In the early Indian wars, during which the New England colonies suf- 
fered unnumbered cruelties, the New Hampshire settlements experienced their 
full share of massacre and blood. An account of these will be found in our 
colonial sketches of Massachusetts, with whose history that of New Hamp- 
shire has been necessarily blended. The details of the attack upon Dover, in 
1689 (see p. 58), have been reserved to this place, and may be taken as a 
specimen of the barbarities often practised by the Indians, in the early 
annals of the country. 

The principal citizen of Dover, at this time, was Major "Waldron, a man 
of cruel bearing towards the Indians, and who, on that account, was most 
obnoxious to them. 

Having decided upon their plan of attack, their next object was to allay 
suspicion, which they did effectually by a most kind and respectful behavior. 
On the night of the awful tragedy, some of their squaws had obtained per- 
mission to sleep in the fortified houses of the town. 

At length the inhabitants retired to rest; — silence and quiet pervaded 
the town. The doors were now softly opened, and the signal given. The 
Indians had stealthily reached their posts. They rushed into Major Wal- 
dron's house like tigers, and made for his apartment. 

Meanwhile, awakened by their savage yells, Waldron arose, and seizing 
his sword, drove them back. Again they returned to the charge, and while 
he was attempting to get his other arms, a blow from a tomahawk felled 
him to the floor. Next, he was taken into the hall, and being placed in a 
chair, was set upon a table, where he was treated with insult and indignity. 

After feasting upon such provisions as the house afforded, each of the 
savages, approaching Major AYaldron, gave him a deep knife-gash across his 
breast, saying, as he did it, "I cross out my account." 

Meanwhile, the tortured man grew momentarily weaker and weaker; and 
when, at length, he was ready to fall, an Indian held his own sword under 
him, upon which falling, his earthly miseries were soon at end. 

Similar barbarities were enacted at other houses in the village ; yet it is 
eaid that a woman was spared, for. her kindness to an Indian, shown him 
thirteen years before. What strange contrarieties sometimes meet in tha 
lame human breast ' 



BOLD CONDUCT OF WILLIAM HOLMES. 71 

IV. CONNECTICUT. 

1. Colony of Connecticut. — 1. Connecticut derives its 
Hume from its principal river, called by the Indians Quon-eh- 
U.-CUT, and which, in their language, signified " the long river." 

2. Robert, Earl of Warwick, was the first proprietary of the 
Boil of Connecticut, under a grant from the " Plymouth Coun- 
cil," in 1630. It was next held by Lords Say and Seal, and 
Lcvd Brooke and others, to whom the earl transferred it in 1631. 
Tkj patent included that part of New England which extends 
from Narraganset river one hundred and twenty miles, on a 
straight line, near the shore, towards the south-west, as the coast 
lies, towards Virginia, and within that breadth, from the Atlan- 
tic Ocean to the South Sea, or the Pacific. This is the original 
patent of Connecticut. 

3. During this latter year, Mr. Winslow, Governor of Plym- 
outh, at the instance of Wahquimacut,^ a sachem near the Con- 
necticut, visited the river and the fertile valley through which 
it passes, and, after his return, decided to take measures to com- 
mence a settlement on its banks. 

4. Meanwhile, the Dutch at New York, who had become 
acquainted with the river about the same time,t intending to 
anticipate the people of Plymouth, erected a fort, or house, at 
Hartford, in 1633, and planted two cannon. In October of the 
same year, William Holmes, who commanded the Plymouth 
expedition, proceeded in a vessel, with his party, for Connecticut, 
bearing a commission from the Governor of Plymouth, and a 
chosen company, to accomplish his design. On reaching the 
Dutch fort, Holmes was forbid proceeding, at the hazard of being 
blown to pieces ; but, being a man of spirit, he coolly informed the 
garrison that he had a commission from the Governor of Plym- 
outh to go up the river, and that go he should. They poured 

* Wahquimacut, the sachem here mentioned, made a journey to Plymouth 
and Boston, earnestly soliciting the governors of each of the colonies to send 
men to form settlements upon the river. He represented the country as 
exceedingly fruitful, and promised that he would supply the English, if they 
would make a settlement there, with corn, annually, and give them eighty 
beaver-skins. He urged that two men might be sent to view the country. 
Had this invitation been accepted, it might have prevented the Dutch claim 
to any part of the lands upon the river, and opened an extensive trade in 
hemp, furs, and deer-skins, with all the Indians upon it, and far into 
Canada. 

The Governor of Massachusetts treated the sachem and his company with 
generosity, but paid no further attention to his proposal. Mr. Winslow, tha 
Governor of Plymouth, judging it worthy of attention, himself made a jour- 
ney to Connecticut, discovered the river and the lands adjacent. 

* Bancroft gives the Dutch credit for the prior discovery of the river. 



72 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

out their threats, but he proceeded, and landing on the west side 
of the river, erected his house below the mouth of the little river, 
in Windsor. The house was covered with the utmost despatch, 
and fortified with palisades. The Dutch, considering Holmes 
and his men intruders, sent, the next year, a band of seventy 
men to drive them from the country ; but finding them strongly 
posted, they relinquished the design. 

5. In the autumn of 1635, a company, consisting of sixty 
men, women and children, from the settlements of Newtown and 
Watertown, in Massachusetts, commenced their journey through 
the wilderness to Connecticut river. On their arrival, they 
settled at Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford. They com- 
menced their journey on the 25th of October ; but, as a wide wil- 
derness spread before them, filled with swamps and rivers, hills 
and mountains, they were so long on their journey, and so much 
time was spent in passing the river, and in getting over their 
cattle, that, after all their exertions, winter came upon them 
before they were prepared. 

6. By the 25th of November, Connecticut river was frozen 
over, and the snow was so deep, and the season so tempestuous, 
that a considerable number of the cattle driven from Massachu- 
setts could not be brought across the river ; but they wintered 
even better than those which were brought over. Yet a con- 
siderable number perished. The loss of the Windsor settlers, in 
cattle, was estimated at near two hundred pounds sterling. The 
sufferings of the people for want of food, during the winter, were 
often severe. After all the help they were able to obtain from 
hunting and the Indians, they were obliged to subsist on acorns, 
malt, and grains.^ 

* It being impracticable to transport much provision or furniture through 
a pathless wilderness, they were put on board several small vessels, which 
were either cast away or did not arrive. Several vessels were wrecked on 
the coast of New England, by the violence of the storms. 

About the 10th of December, provisions generally failed in the settlements 
on the river, and famine and death looked the inhabitants in the face. 
Some of them, driven by hunger, attempted their way, in this severe season, 
through the wilderness, from Connecticut to Massachusetts. Of thirteen, in 
one company, who made this attempt, one, in passing the rivers, fell through 
the ice, and was drowned. The other twelve were ten days on their journey, 
and would all have perished, had it not been for the assistance of the Indians. 
Such was the general distress, early in December, that a considerable part 
of the new settlers were obliged to abandon their habitations. Seventy per- 
sons — men, women, and children — determined to go down the river to 
meet their provisions, as the only expedient to preserve their lives. Not 
meeting with the vessels which they expected, they all went on board the 
Rebecca, a vessel of about sixty tons. This, two days before, was frozen in, 
twenty miles up the river; but by the falling of a timely rain, together with 



PEQUOT WAR. 73 

7. During the same month in which the emigrants commenced 
their journey to Connecticut, John Winthrop, son of the Governor 
of Massachusetts, arrived at Boston with a commission as Gov- 
ernor of Connecticut, under Lords Say and Seal, and Lord Brook, 
the proprietors, and with authority to erect a fort at the mouth 
of the river of that name. Accordingly, soon after his arrival, he 
despatched a bark of thirty tons, with twenty men, to take pos- 
session of Connecticut river, and to build a fort at its mouth. 
This was accordingly erected, and called Saybrook Fort, as the 
settlement or colony was called Saybrook colony, and which con- 
tinued independent till 1644. A few days after their arrival, a 
Dutch vessel from New Netherlands appeared, to take possession 
of the river ; but, as the English had already mounted two can- 
non, their landing was prevented. 

8. The next June, 1636, the Reverend Messrs. Hooker and 
Stone, with a number of settlers from Dorchester and Watertown, 
removed to Connecticut. With no guide but a compass, they 
made their way one hundred miles, over mountains, through 
swamps and rivers. Their journey, which was on foot, lasted a 
fortnight, during which they lived upon the milk of their cows. 
They drove one hundred and sixty cattle. This party chiefly 
settled at Hartford. Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone became the 
pastors of the church in that place, and were both eminent sa 
men and ministers. 

9. The year 1637 is remarkable, in the history of Connecticut, 
for a war with the Pequots, a tribe of Indians, whose principal 
settlement was on a hill, in the present town of Groton. Prior 
to this time, the Pequots had frequently annoyed the infant 
colony, and in several instances had killed some of its inhabitants. 
In March of this year, the commander of Saybrook Fort, with 
twelve men, was attacked by them, and three of his party killed. 
In April, another portion of this tribe assaulted the people of 
Wethersfield, as they were going to their fields to labor, and killed 
six men and three women. Two girls were taken captive by 
them, and twenty cows were killed. In this perilous state of the 
colony, a court was summoned at Hartford, May 11th. After 
mature deliberation, it was determined that war should be com- 
menced against the Pequots. Ninety men, nearly half the fenci- 
ble men of the colony, were ordered to be raised ; forty-two from 
Hartford, thirty from Windsor, and eighteen from Wethersfield. 

10. With these troops, together with seventy river and 

the tide, the ice became so broken that she was enabled to get out. Sha 
ran, however, upon the bar, and the people were forced to unlade her to get 
her off. She was reladed, and in five days reached Boston. 

7 



74 PERIOD n. — 1607— 1756. -SETTLEMENTS. 

Mohegan Indians, Captain Mason, to whom the command of th«* 
expedition was given, sailed down the river Connecticut to Say- 
brook. Here a plan of operations was formed, agreeably to 
which, on the 5th June, about the dawn of day, Captain Mason 
surprised Mystic, one of the principal forts of the enemy, in the 
present town of Stonington. On their near approach to the fort, 
a dog barked, and an Indian, who now discovering them, cried 
out, " wanux ! wanux ! " Englishmen ! Englishmen ! 

11. The troops instantly pressed forward, and fired. The 
destruction of the enemy soon became terrible ; but they rallied, at 
length, and made a manly resistance. After a severe and pro- 
tracted conflict, Captain Mason and his troops being nearly 
exhausted, and victory still doubtful, he cried out to his men, 
" We must burn them ! " At the same instant, seizing a firebrand, 
he applied it to a wigwam. The flames spread rapidly on every 
side ; and as the sun rose upon the scene, it showed the work of 
destruction to be complete. Seventy wigwams were in ruins, 
and between five and six hundred Indians lay bleeding on the 
ground, or smouldering in the ashes. 

12. But, though the victory was complete, the troops were 
now in great distress. Besides two killed, sixteen of their num- 
ber were wounded. Their surgeon, medicines and provisions, 
were on board some vessels, on their way to Pequot harbor, now 
New London. While consulting what should be done in this 
emergency, how great was their joy to descry their vessels stand- 
ing directly towards the harbor, under a prosperous wind ! Soon 
after, a detachment of nearly two hundred men, from Massachu- 
setts and Plymouth, arrived to assist Connecticut in prosecuting 
the war. 

13. Sassacus, the great sachem of the Pequots, and his war- 
riors, were so appalled at the destruction of their fort, that they 
fled towards Hudson's river. The troops pursued them as far as 
a great swamp in Fairfield, where another action took place, in 
which the Indians were entirely vanquished. This was followed 
by a treaty with the remaining Pequots, about two hundred in 
number, agreeably to which they were divided among the Narra- 
gausets and Mohegans. Thus terminated a conflict, which, for 
a time, was eminently distressing to the colonies. This event of 
peace was celebrated, throughout New England, by a day of 
thanksgiving and praise. 

II. New Haven Colony. — 1. During the exoedition against 
the Pequots, the English became acquainted with Quinipiac, or 
New Haven ; and the next year, 1638, the settlement of that 
town was commenced. This, and the adjoining towns, soon after 



SETTLEMENT OF NEW HAVEN. 75 

settled, were distinguished by the name of the Colony of New 
Haven. 

2. Among the founders of this colony, which was the fourth 
in New England, was Mr. John Davenport, for some time a 
distinguished minister in London. To avoid the indignation of 
the persecuting Archbishop Laud, he fled, in 1633, to Holland. 
Hearing, while in exile, of the prosperity of the New England 
settlements, he meditated a removal to America. On his return 
to England, Mr. Theophilus Eaton, an eminent merchant in 
London, with Mr. Hopkins, afterwards Governor of Connecticut, 
and several others, determined to accompany him. They arrived 
in Boston in June, 1637. 

3. Though the most advantageous offer.: were made them by 
the government of Massachusetts, to choose any place within 
their jurisdiction, they preferred a place without the limits of the 
existing colonies. Accordingly, they fixed upon New Haven as 
the place of their future residence ; and on the 28th of April they 
kept their first Sabbath in the place, under a large oak-tree, 
where Mr. Davenport preached to them. 

4. The following year, January 24, 1639, the three towns on 
Connecticut river, Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield, finding 
themselves without the limits of the Massachusetts patent, assem- 
bled by their freemen at Hartford, and formed themselves into a 
distinct commonwealth, and adopted a constitution. This consti- 
tution, which has been much admired, and which, for more than 
a century and a half, underwent little alteration, ordained that 
there should annually be two general assemblies, — one in April, 
the other in September. In April, the officers of government 
were to be elected by the freemen, and to consist of a governor, 
deputy-governor, and five or six assistants. The towns were to 
send deputies to the general assemblies. Under this constitution, 
the first governor was John Haynes, and Roger Ludlow the first 
deputy -governor. 

5. The example of the colony of Connecticut, in forming a 
constitution, was followed, the next June, by the colony of New 
Haven. The planters assembled in a large barn. Among other 
rules, it was established that none but church-members should 
vote, or be elected to office ; that all the freemen of the colony 
should annually assemble and elect its officers ; and that the word 
of Ck)d should be the only rule for ordering the affairs of the 
commonwealth. 

6. In October following, the government was organized, when 
Mr. Eaton was chosen governor. To this office he was annually 
elected, till his death, in 1657. No one of the New England 



76 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

colonies was so much distinguished for good order and internal 
tranquillity as the colony of New Haven. Her principal men 
were eminent for their wisdom and integrity, and directed the 
affairs of the colony with so much prudence, that she was seldom 
disturbed by divisions within, or by aggressions from the Indians 
from without. Having been bred to mercantile employments, the 
first settlers belonging to this colony were inclined to engage in 
commercial pursuits ; but in these they sustained several severe 
losses, and, among others, that of a new ship of one hundred and 
fifty tons, which was foundered at sea in 1647, and which was 
freighted with a valuable cargo, and manned with seamen and 
passengers from many of the best families in the colony. This 
loss discouraged, for a time, their commercial pursuits, and 
engaged their attention more particularly in the employments of 
agriculture. 

7. The Dutch at New Netherlands (New York) early proved 
themselves troublesome neighbors to the Connecticut colonies. 
Besides claiming the soil as far east as Connecticut river, they 
plundered the property of settlers adjoining their territory, insti- 
gated the Indians to hostilities, supplied them with arms, and 
otherwise disturbed their peace. These were among the causes 
which induced these colonies to unite with the other New Eng- 
land colonies in the memorable confederacy of 1643, an account 
of which we have given in another place, p. 48. 

8. In 1644, the little colony of Saybrook, which till now had 
been independent, was united with Connecticut ; she having 
purchased the soil and jurisdiction of George Fenwick, one of the 
proprietors, for about two thousand pounds. 

9. In 1650, Governor Stuyvesant concluded a treaty of amity 
and partition, at Hartford, between the Dutch and English. By 
this treaty the former relinquished all claim to the territory, 
except the land which they then occupied. A divisional line was 
also established, and pledges exchanged to abide in peace. 

10. The harmony of the two people, however, was not of long 
duration. A war broke out between England and Holland, in 
1652, taking advantage of which, and notwithstanding his pledge, 
Stuyvesant, it was understood, was plotting the overthrow of the 
English. Ninigret, the famous sachem of the Narragansets, 
and the wily and implacable enemy of the colonies, spent the 
winter of 1652-3 in New York with the Dutch governor. The 
colonies became alarmed. 

11. A meeting of the commissioners was called, and a 
majority decided upon war against the Dutch ; but, Massachusetts 
refusing to furnish her quota, hostilities were prevented. Con- 



UNION OF CONNECTICUT AND NEW HAVEN. 77 

necticut and New Haven, indignant at the course pursued by 
Massachusetts, applied to Cromwell, then Protector of England, 
for aid ; and, in 1 654, four or five ships were despatched to re- 
duce the Dutch. Peace, however, was concluded between Hol- 
land and England before the fleet arrived. During this year 
the Legislature of Connecticut sequestered the Dutch houses, 
.ands, and property of all kinds, at Hartford, from which time 
the latter prosecuted no further claims in New England. 

12. Charles II. was restored to the throne in 1660 ; after 
which, Connecticut, expressing her loyalty, applied for a charter. 
It was in the king's heart to deny her request ; but, providen- 
tially, as it were, her agent, Governor Winthrop, when about to 
urge her petition, presented to the monarch a ring which had 
belonged to Charles I., and by him had been given to his grand- 
father. This act of courtesy so won the heart of the king, that 
he not only gave a liberal charter to the colony, but confirmed 
the very constitution which the people had adopted. The date 
of this charter was May 30th, 1662. Under this the people of 
Connecticut lived and nourished till the adoption of the present 
constitution, in 1818, a period of one hundred and fifty-six years. 

13. This charter included New Haven, and most of the terri- 
tory of Rhode Island. But the former utterly refused ^ to be 
united, and in that opposition persisted till 1665, when a reluct- 
ant consent was obtained, and the two were made one. In 1663, 
Charles conferred a charter on Rhode Island and Providence 
Plantations, which, however, as it included a portion of territory 
already granted to Connecticut, laid the foundation for a contro- 
versy between the two colonies, which lasted near sixty years. 

14. From the calamities in which the war of Philip, in 1675, 
involved the New England colonies, Connecticut was compara- 
tively exempted ; yet, she promptly responded to demands made 
upon her for aid in that dark period of New England history. 
Her captains were brave, — her soldiers unyielding. In the ter- 
rible swamp-fight (p. 54) with the Narragansets, December 
29th, 1675, her troops suffered more than those of either Massa- 
chusetts or Plymouth, and were compelled to return home. 

15. On the 30th of December, 1686, Sir Edmund Andros, 
"glittering in scarlet and lace," landed at Bosun, as Governor of 
all New England. In the autumn of 1687, An Iros, attended by 
some of his council, and a guard of sixty troops, went to Hart- 

* As evidence of the opposition which existed, it may be stated that Rev 
Mr. Pierson, the minister of Branford, and almost all his people, were Sf 
dissatisfied with the charter, that they removed to Newark, New Jersey. 

7# 



I 

78 PERIOD n. — 1607—1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

ford, and entering the House of Assembly, then in session, de* 
manded the charter of Connecticut, and declared the colonial 
government to be dissolved. Reluctant to surrender the char- 
ter, the assembly protracted its debates till evening, when the 
charter was brought in and laid on the table. Upon a precon- 
certed signal, the lights were at once extinguished, and a Cap- 
tain Wadsworth, seizing the charter, hastened away, under cover 
of night, and secreted it in the hollow of an oak. The candles, 
which had been extinguished, were soon relighted, without dis- 
order; but the charter had disappeared. Sir Edmund, how- 
ever, assumed the government, which was administered in his 
name, until the dethronement of James II., in 1689, and the 
elevation of the Prince of Orange, as William III. 

16. On this event, Connecticut spurning the government 
which Andros had appointed, and " which," as Mr. Bancroft 
says, " they had always feared it was a sin to obey," the secreted 
charter was taken from its hiding-place, May 19 th, " discolored, 
but not effaced ;" the assembly was convened, and the records 
of the colony were once more opened. 

17. Not long after, another encroachment upon the rights of 
the colony was attempted, but nobly resisted. In 1692, Colonel 
Fletcher was appointed Governor of New York, with a commis- 
sion to take command of the militia of Connecticut. As this 
was a power which the charter had reserved to the colony, the 
demand of the colonel was denied. In the autumn of 1693, 
Fletcher repaired to Hartford, intending to enforce his commis- 
sion. The Legislature was in session. The demand was repeated, 
and refused. The Hartford companies were then ordered to 
assemble, before which Fletcher directed his commission to be 
read. 

18. But presently nothing could be heard but the noise of 
the drums, which Captain Wadsworth, the senior officer of the 
companies, commanded to be beaten. " Silence ! " exclaimed 
Fletcher, and his aid read on. " Drum, drum, I say ! ' 
repeated Wadsworth. " Silence ! " once more cried Fletcher. 
" Drum, drum ! " said Wadsworth, at the same time turning to 
Fletcher, upon whom his eye-balls glared with fire and indigna- 
tion, adding, " Sir, if I am interrupted again, I will make the sun 
shine through you in a moment ! " This was enough. The crest 
of the haughty colonel instantly fell, and soon after he and suite 
departed for New York. On a representation of the affair to the 
king, he decided that the command of the militia, in time of 
peace, should be with the governor ; but, in case of war, a deter- 
minate number should be placed under the orders of Fletcher 



PROCEEDINGS OF ROGER WILLIAMS. 79 

From this time, the history of Connecticut blends with the gen- 
eral history of the colonies. 

V. RHODE ISLAND. 

1. Rhode Island was so called from a fancied resemblance to 
the ancient Island of Rhodes, in the Mediterranean. 

2. Roger Williams, having been banished from Massachusetts, 
as related page 47, visited Ousamequin, sachem of Pokanoket 
whose residence was at Mount Hope, near the present town of 
Bristol (Rhode Island). From him he obtained a grant of land 
in the town of Seekonk, and here made preparations to erect a 
house ; but, being informed by the Governor of Plymouth that 
he was within the limits of that colony, he resolved to move. 
Accordingly, about the middle of June, 1G36, he embarked in a 
canoe, with five others, and proceeded down the Narraganset 
river to a spot near the mouth of the Moshassuck. This he 
selected as a place of settlement, which, in grateful remembrance 
of the mercies of God, he called Providence. 

3. This was within the jurisdiction of the Narraganset In- 
dians. The sachems were Canonicus, and his nephew, Mianti- 
nomo. These he visited, and received a verbal cession of land, 
which, two years afterwards, was formally conveyed to him by 
deed. 

4. In the course of two years, Mr. "Williams was joined by a 
number of friends from Massachusetts, with whom he shared the 
land he had obtained, reserving to himself only two small fields, 
which, on his first arrival, he had planted with his own hands. 

5. And here, in this community, was presented the first exam- 
ple the world ever saw of perfect religious toleration, — every 
one permitted to hold such religious opinions, and to worship 
God after that manner he pleased, without fear and molestation. 
The honor of this arrangement belongs to Mr. Williams. 

6. He was careful, nevertheless, to provide for the mainte- 
nance of the civil peace. All the settlers were required to sign 
a covenant to submit themselves to all such orders or agree- 
ments as should be made for the public good ; only, however, in 
civil things. This simple instrument, combining the princi- 
ples of a pure democracy and of unrestricted religious liberty, 
was the basis of the first government of Rhode Island. 

7. The government of the town being thus placed in the 
hands of the inhabitants, the legislative, judicial, and executive 
functions were exercised for several years by the citizens, in 
town-meeting. Two deputies were appointed, from time to time, 
whose duty it was to preserve order, to settle disputes, to call 



80 PERIOD H. — 1607— 175G. — SETTLEMENTS. 

town-meetings, to preside in them, and to see that their resolu> 
tions were executed. 

8. In 1638, William Coddington and eighteen others, being 
persecuted in Massachusetts for their religious tenets, followed 
Mr. Williams to Providence. By his advice, they purchased* 
of Canonicus and Miantinomo Aquetneck (now llhode Island) 
and other islands in Narraganset Bay, and began the settle- 
ment of Portsmouth, on the northern part of the island. Soon 
after, another settlement was commenced, on the south-western 
side, by the name of Newport. Both towns were considered as 
belonging to the same colony, which received the name of the 
llhode Island Plantation. 

9. In imitation of the form of government t which existed 
for a time amono the Jews, the inhabitants elected Mr. Codding- 
ton to be their magistrate, with the title of Judge ; and a few 
months afterward, they elected three elders to assist him. This 
form of government continued till March 12, 1640, when they 
chose Mr. Coddington governor, Mr. Brenton deputy-governor, 
with a treasurer, secretary and three assistants. No other change 
as to the form of government took place till the charter was 
obtained. 

10. At the time of the union of the New England colonies in 
their confederacy of 1643, the proposal of the Providence and 
llhode Island Plantations to join it was refused, on the ground 
that they had no charter ; whereupon, the following year, Boger 
Williams proceeded to England, and obtained from Parliament 
a free charter of incorporation, by which the two plantations 
were united under one government. In 1663 a royal charter 
was granted to them by Charles II. This charter constituted 
an assembly, consisting of a governor, deputy-governor, and ten 
assistants, with the representatives from the several towns, all to 
be chosen by the freemen. In 1686, Andros, being made Gov- 
ernor of New England, dissolved the charter of Rhode Island, 
and appointed a council to assist him in governing the colony. 
Three years after, William, Prince of Orange, ascended the 
throne of England, and Andros was seized and imprisoned ; upon 

* The consideration given was forty fathom of white beads. The natives 
then residing on Aquetneck received ten coats and twenty hoes to remove 
before the next winter. 

+ The following instrument was signed by Mr. Coddington and his asso- 
ciates : " We whose names are underwritten do swear solemnly, in the pres- 
ence of Jehovah, to incorporate ourselves into a body politic, and, as he shall 
help us, will submit our persons, lives and estates, unto our Lord Jesus 
Christ, the King of kings and Lord of Hosts, and to all those most perfect 
and absolute laws of his, given us in his holy word of truth, to be guided 
and judged thereby." 



VOYAGE OF HENRY HUDSON. 81 

which, the freemen assembled at Newport, and, having resumed 
their charter, restored all the officers whom Andros had dis- 
placed. 

VI. NEW YORK. 

1. New York (originally called New Netherlands) was so 
named in honor of the Duke of York and Albany, to whom the 
territory was granted on its conquest from its first settlers, the 
Dutch. 

2. On the 13th of September, 1609, a vessel called the Cres- 
cent came to anchor within Sandy Hook,^ about seventeen miles 
from the present city of New York. I* was the first vessel 
ever within those waters.! Her commander, Henry Hudson, 
was an English captain in the service of the Dutch East India 
Company, and on a voyage for discovering a northern passage to 
India; but, failing in this, he proceeded along the shores of 
Newfoundland, and thence southward, as far as Chesapeake and 
Delaware Bays. Thence returning, he was exploring the coast, 
with the hope of finding a passage through the continent to the 
Pacific, when he came to anchor as above mentioned. Having 
here spent a week, he passed through the Narrows, t and " went 
sounding his way above the Highlands," till at last the Crescent 
had sailed some miles above the city of Hudson, and a boat had 
advanced a little beyond Albany. § 

3. Having employed ten days in this manner, and in frequent 
intercourse with the Indians resident on the banks of the river, 
Hudson descended on the 14th of October, and sailed for Eng- 
land, "leaving once more to its solitude" the stream which in 
after years was to bear his name. II In November, he reached 
England, whence he forwarded to his Dutch employers " a bril- 
liant account " of his discoveries ; but the English monarch, 

* Sandy Hook is an island, five miles long, on the eastern coast of New 
Jersey, and seventeen miles south of New York. 

f Except the ship under command of John Verrazani, nearly a century 
previous. (See page 10.) 

% Tho entrance to New York harbor. It is about one mile wide, and nine 
miles below the city. It has Long Island on the east, and Staten Island on 
the west. 

§ Bancroft. 

|| Hudson was destined never more to visit the noble river which bears Ins 
name. In a subsequent voyage to the northern seas, in search of a path to 
the Pacific, his provisions failed, and his crew became mutinous. In their 
discontent, they seized Hudson, his son, and seven others, and threw them 
mto a shallop, and set them adrift. The carpenter requested to share hia 
master's fate. Nothing more was ever heard of this noble man ; and it 
Beoins probable that, in some wild storm, he and his companions found a 
Eatery grave. 



82 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

James I., forbade his return to Holland, lest the Dutch, by vir 
tue of his having sailed under their patronage, should lay claim 
to the country. 

4. The Dutch, as feared, did lay claim to it; and the follow- 
ing year the East India Company fitted out a ship with various 
merchandise, bound for the newly-discovered river, to trade with 
the natives. The enterprise was successful, and other voyagers 
succeeded. Several rude hovels were erected on the island, 
called by the natives Manhattan ; and here, in 1613, Captain 
Argall, when on his return, with his fleet, from an expedition 
against the French at Port Royal, found several Dutch traders. 

5. But he promptly demanded a surrender of the place to the 
English crown, as properly constituting a part of Virginia. The 
surrender was reluctantly made ; but, on his retirement, the 
Dutch continued their residence, and during the following year, 
1614, constructed a rude fort on the southern part of the island, 
which was the beginning of New Amsterdam, afterward New 
York. In 1615, a settlement was begun near the present site 
of Albany, to which the name of Fort Orange was given. The 
country received the name of New Netherlands. 

6. Notwithstanding the claim of Argall, in 1613, to the ter- 
ritory of New Netherlands, as belonging to the English crown, 
the Dutch held possession of it till 1664, the English meanwhile 
neglecting further pretensions to it. 

7. In 1621, the Dutch republic of Holland granted to the 
Dutch West India Company — a corporation then recently 
formed— a territory whose boundaries were not accurately defined ; 
but which the latter construed as including the lands between 
Delaware river on the south, and Connecticut river on the 
norths The foregoing boundaries, therefore, included, besides 
New York, the present States of Delaware, New Jersey, a con- 
siderable part of Connecticut, and Long Island ; and to these 
several territories the Dutch subsequently laid claim, and these 
claims, in after years, involved them in serious and very trouble- 
some disputes. 

8. Small settlements, in addition to those at New Amsterdam 
and Albany, were early begun, — in New Jersey, in Delaware, 
on the west end of Long Island ; and a trading-house, or fort, at 
Hartford, on the Connecticut river, which Bancroft says the 
Dutch had discovered a little previous to the erection of the 
trading-house, by Holmes, at Windsor. 

9. The^ first governor of New Netherlands, appointed by tha 
West India Company, was Peter Minuits, who arrived at New 

* Some writers make this grant much more extensive. 



NEW YORK MANORS. 83 

Amsterdam in 1625 ; and with him came a company who settled 
At Brooklyn, Long Island. Under him were several officers, or 
functionaries, as an Opper-Koopman, or chief merchant, an 
Onder-Koopman, a Koopman, and an assistant. 

10. During the administration of Governor Minuits, the found- 
ation was laid for the manors of New York ; some of which 
remain to this day, and which, on account of rents demanded 
from those who improve the leased lands belonging to those man- 
ors, are at this present time the cause of sad disturbances in that 
state. In 1629, the above West India Company, in order to 
give an impulse to colonization in their territory, allowed per- 
sons who should within four years undertake to plant colonies, 
consisting of certain specified numbers, to select lands miles in 
extent,^ which should descend to their posterity forever. Of 
this privilege several availed themselves. Such were called 
lords of the manor, or patroons, — that is, patrons. By these 
patroons, Wouter Van Twiller was despatched as an agent, to 
inspect the condition of the country, and to purchase the lands of 
f he Indians previous to settlement, — a condition specified by the 
West India Company. It was also recommended that a minis- 
ter and schoolmaster should be provided. 

11. In 1633, disturbances arising in the colony, Minuits was 
recalled, and Wouter Van Twiller, the former agent, succeeded 
him. A few months before his arrival, the Dutch, who had 
discovered Connecticut river, had erected a trading-house, or 
fort, where Hartford stands, as noticed in our history of Connect- 
icut. (See page 71.) Under Van Twiller, the interests of the 
colony considerably advanced ; although the controversy occa- 
sioned by the encroachments of the English on the eastern end 
of Long Island and western part of Connecticut began. 

12. In 1638, Van Twiller gave place to Sir William Kieft, a 
man of enterprise and ability, but impetuous and imperious. 
From this time, the history of the Dutch is little less than a 
chronicle of struggles and contentions with English, Swedes, and 
Indians. 

13. About the same time that Kieft began his administration, 
a colony of Swedes, under* ex-Governor Minuits,! arrived, and 
formed a settlement on Christiana Creek, near Wilmington, in the 
present State of Delaware. To this movement Kieft remon- 

* Sixteen miles, unless they lay on both sides of a river, in which case 
they might extend eight miles on each bank, and stretch into the country as 
far as tho situation required. 

f Minuits, on being removed from office among the Dutch, offered tb.q 
benefit of his experience to the Swedes, 



84 PERIOD n. — 1607—1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

Btrated ; but the Swedes gradually extended their settlements, at 
length occupying the territory from Cape Henlopen to the Falls 
of Delaware, opposite Trenton. This territory was called New 
Sweden. 

14. But the Dutch were destined to troubles far more serious. 
For some time dishonest traders had overreached the Indians of 
Long Island and New Jersey, and they sought revenge. In 
1640, they ruined the settlement on Staten Island. In conse- 
quence of this, the Dutch fitted out a roving expedition, south of 
the Hudson, against the Indians ; but it proved fruitless. At 
length, a Hollander was killed by the son of a chief. The 
Indians expressed their grief, but refused to surrender the mur- 
derer. Kieft was inexorable, and united with a party of Mo- 
hawks, just then arrived from the north, in an expedition of 
blood and death against the neighboring tribes. 

-1 - T 

lo. In the stillness of a dark winter's night (February, 1643) 
the united forces crossed the Hudson, and the work of destruc- 
tion began. Nearly a hundred of the savages, men, women and 
children, perished in the carnage. No sooner was it discovered 
by the surrounding tribes that the Dutch united with the Mo- 
hawks in this midnight attack, but they were seized with the 
frenzy of revenge. And their revenge was seemingly full. Til- 
lages were laid waste ; the farmer was murdered in his field, and 
his children swept into captivity. It was on this occasion that 
the celebrated Anne Hutchinson, who was banished from Massa- 
chusetts, perished, with her family. (See page 48.) So greatly 
were the Dutch pressed, and so imminent became their danger, 
that they were compelled to sue for peace. Fortunately, that 
peace-maker, Roger Williams, then in Manhattan, on his way to 
England, interfered, and a truce between the contending parties 
was effected. 

16. But harmony and confidence were not restored. The 
Indians found themselves not satisfied. They thirsted for fur- 
ther revenge, and the war was renewed. The Dutch, however, 
had no competent leader. They therefore engaged the services 
of Captain John Underbill, one of the bravest men of his day, 
but who had been banished from Massachusetts for his religious 
eccentricities. With one hundred and twenty men, Underbill 
met and attacked and routed the Indians, on Long Island, and at 
Strickland Plains, and Horseneck. 

IT. At length, after the war had continued two years, both 
Dutch and Indians became weary of the contest, At this time, 
the Mohawks stepped in, and claimed sovereignty over all the 
tribes in the neighborhood of Manhattan" and through their 



PROCEEDINGS OF GOVERNOR STUYVESANT. 85 

influence, these tribes now (1645) made peace with the Dutch. 
Such was the joy diffused through the colony, at this event, that 
a general thankso-ivins; was observed. 

18. To Kieft, the author of much of the blood which had been 
shed, a long infamy attached. His conduct was reprobated both 
at home and abroad. Deprived of his office, he embarked, some 
time after, for Europe, in a richly-laden ship ; but ere he reached 
his destination, his vessel was engulfed in the briny waters, and 
the guilty Kieft perished. 

19. The fourth and last governor of New Netherlands wag 
Peter Stuyvesant, who succeeded Kieft in 1647. He was a 
brave officer, who had served as viceroy in one of the West 
India Islands ; a scholar of some learning, and, withal, an honest 
man. His policy toward the Indians was marked by kindness ; 
in consequence of which, a more peaceable disposition prevailed 
among them. 

20. But the controversy of the Dutch with other parties 
still continued. In 1650, Stuyvesant went to Hartford, to 
demand a full surrender of the lands on Connecticut river. 
After several days spent in controversy, it was agreed that Long 
Island should be divided : the Dutch claims to extend to Oyster 
Bay, thirty miles east of the city ; and on the main land as far 
as Greenwich, near the present boundary between the States of 
New York and Connecticut. The lands on the Connecticut 
river the Dutch were compelled to relinquish, excepting those 
of which they then held actual possession ; and these were some 
time after sequestered. 

21. On the Delaware, the Swedes made strenuous efforts to 
maintain their power ; but in 1655 Stuyvesant Bailed, with six 
hundred men, for their reduction, and in this enterprise he was 
successful. The Swedish power was annihilated. Some of the 
colonists, with their governor, Bising, returned to Europe; 
others removed to Maryland and Virginia. The rest, taking 
the oath of allegiance to Holland, continued on their lands, under 
Dutch rule. 

22. In 1663, a sudden irruption was made by the Indians 
upon the village of Esopus, now Kingston, ninety miles above 
New York, on the Hudson. Sixty-five of the inhabitants were 
either killed or made captives. But the Indians suffered 
greatly, in return, by means of a force sent up from New 
Amsterdam, which laid waste their fields, and killed many of 
their warriors. In December, a truce was proclaimed, and the 
captives taken by the Indians were released. In the following 
Mav a treaty of peace was concluded. 

8 



86 PERIOD H. — 1607—1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

23. But the government of the Dutch over New Netherlands 
Was now drawing to a close. The English had never ceased to 
regard the territory as belonging to them, by virtue of its dis- 
covery by Hudson, as an Englishman, but still more on the 
ground of the first discovery of the continent, by Cabot. In 
1664, therefore, Charles II., King of England, disregarding all 
other claims, made a grant, to his brother James, then Duke of 
York, of the whole territory from Connecticut river to the 
shores of the Delaware, including, therefore, besides a part of 
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Delaware. 

24. The duke was not slow to assert his claim. He fitted out 
a squadron, consisting of four frigates and three hundred men, 
under command of Sir Robert Nichols, who forthwith sailed for 
New Amsterdam. On entering the harbor, Stuyvesant addressed 
him a letter, desiring to know the reason of his approach. To 
this Nichols replied the next day, by a summons to surrender. 
Stuyvesant, determining on a defence, refused to surrender ; but, 
at length, finding himself without the means of resistance, and 
that many of the people were desirous of passing under the juris- 
diction of the English, he surrendered the government into the 
hands of Colonel Nichols, who promised to secure to the gov- 
ernor and inhabitants their liberties and estates, with all the 
privileges of English subjects. 

25. The jurisdiction of the territory having thus passed into 
the hands of the English, New Amsterdam was changed to New 
York, and Fort Orange received the name of Albany. About 
the same time, the Swedes on Delaware Bay and river capitu- 
lated to Sir Robert Carr, an associate of Nichols ; thus complet- 
ing the subjection of New Netherlands to the British crown. 
As to New Jersey, the duke had already conveyed his interest to 
others, as will be noticed in its proper place. Long Island, not- 
withstanding that it had been long before granted to the Earl of 
Sterling, the duke purchased ; and it became, and has since con 
tinued, a part of New York. 

26. Colonel Nichols now assumed the government, in the 
name of the Duke of York, and continued in office for a little 
more than three years. His administration was marked by 
moderation, yet the people were allowed no representation, but 
he himself exercised both legislative and executive power. 
Contrary to all right, however, the titles to lands held by the 
Dutch they were compelled to renew at exorbitant charge, 
which went to the profit of the governor. 

27. Nichols resigned to Governor Lovelace, in 1667, whose 
administration corresponded, in its essential features, to that i?f 



NEW YORK UNDER THE ENGLISH. 87 

his predecessor ; but a remonstrance of the people to taxation 
without representation he ordered to be burnt by the common 
hangman. 

28. In 1672, during the administration of Lovelace, war was 
declared by England against Holland ; upon which, in the follow- 
ing year, a small Dutch squadron was sent against New York. 
Lovelace being absent at the time of its arrival, August 9th, the 
city was surrendered, by Captain Manning, without firing a gun, 
or otherwise attempting to defend the place. For this he was 
tried, condemned, and cashiered. Peace was restored in Febru- 
ary of the following year ; and early in November, New York, to 
which the old title of New Netherlands had been once more 
given, was again restored to the English, as were New Jersey 
and Delaware, which had submitted temporarily to Dutch rule. 

29. To remove all controversy respecting his title to the lands 
granted him while they were in possession of the Dutch, the 
Duke of York took out a new patent, and appointed Sir Edmund 
Andros governor, who entered upon the duties of his appoint- 
ment in October, 1674. But his administration was arbitrary 
and severe. He admitted the people to no share in legislation, 
but ruled them by laws to which they had never given their 
assent. 

30. Connecticut also experienced the weight of his oppression 
and despotism. That part of her territory west of Connecticut 
river, although long before granted to the colony of Connecticut, 
was included in the grant to the Duke of York. By virtue of 
this grant, Andros now claimed jurisdiction over the territory, 
and in July, 1675, made an attempt, with an armed force, to 
take possession of Saybrook Fort. The Governor and Council 
of Connecticut, having notice of his design, despatched Captain 
Bull to defend the fort. On the arrival of Andros at the mouth 
of the river, after making a show of force, he invited Captain 
Bull to a conference. This was granted ; but no sooner had he 
landed, than he attempted to read his commission and the duke's 
patent. This Captain Bull firmly and positively forbid ; and Sir 
Edmund, finding the colony determined, at all events, not to 
submit to his government, relinquished his design, and sailed for 
Long Island. 

31. 1682. — This year, an important change was effected in 
respect to the " Territories," as the present State of Delaware 
w>.s then called, — namely, a transfer of them, by the Duke of 
York, to William Penn, from which time, till the American 
V evolution, they remained attached to Pennsylvania, or were 
» der her jurisdiction. 



88 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

32. On the return of Andros to England, Colonel Thomas 
Dongan, who, as well as the duke, was a Roman Catholic, was 
appointed governor, and arrived in the colony in 1683, with 
instructions to call an assembly, to consist of a council of ten, and 
of eighteen representatives, elected by the freeholders. On the 
accession of the Duke of York to the throne, under the title of 
James II., he refused to confirm to the people the privileges 
granted them while he was duke. No assembly was permitted 
to be convened, printing-presses were prohibited, and the more 
important provincial offices were conferred on Papists. 

33. In 1688, New York and New Jersey were added to the 
jurisdiction of New England, and the arbitrary Andros was 
appointed captain-general of the whole. At the same time, 
Dongan was removed, and Francis Nicholson, who had been 
lieutenant-governor under him, was appointed governor under 
Andros. 

34. Such was the position of affairs, when, in 1689, news of 
the flight of James II., and of the accession of William and 
Mary to the throne, arrived. Andros, as has been related, was 
seized in Boston, and imprisoned. This was joyful intelligence 
to the people of New York, who immediately rose in open rebel- 
lion to the existing government. 

35. Immediately upon this, one Jacob Leisler and forty-nine 
others seized the fort at New York, and held it for William and 
Mary. Nicholson and his officers made what opposition they were 
able ; but, being overpowered, he, the council and magistrates, 
of whom Colonel Bayard was at the head, retired to Albany. 
While affairs were in this posture, a letter from the Lords Car- 
mathen and Halifax arrived, directed " To Francis Nicholson, 
Esq., or, in his absence, to such as, for the time being, take care 
for preserving the peace and administering the laws," &c. 
Accompanying this letter was another, of a subsequent date, 
vesting Nicholson with the chief command. As Nicholson had 
absconded, Leisler construed the letter as directed to himself, and 
from that time assumed the title and authority of lieutenant- 
governor. The southern part of New York generally submitted 
to him ; but Albany refusing subjection, Milborn, his son-in-law, 
was sent to demand the surrender of the fort ; but failing, he 
returned without accomplishing his object. 

36. On the 29th of March, 1691, Colonel Sloughter arrived 
at New York, in the capacity of king's governor. Nicholson 
and Bayard, who had been imprisoned by Leisler, were released. 
The latter now surrendered the fort, and, with Milborn, his son- 
in-law, was apprehended, tried for high treason, and condemned 



EFFECTS OF INTOXICATION. 89 

Their immediate execution was urged by the people ; but the 
governor, fearful of consequences, chose to defer it. To effect 
their purpose, an invitation was given him by the citizens to a 
sumptuous feast, and, while his reason was drowned in intoxica- 
tion, a warrant for their execution was presented to him, and 
signed. Before he recovered his senses, the prisoners were no 
more. Measures so violent greatly agitated the existing parties ; 
but, in the end, the revolution which had taken place restored 
the rights of Englishmen to the colony. Governor Sloughter 
convoked an assembly, which formed a constitution. This, 
among other provisions, secured trials by jury ; freedom from 
taxation, except by the consent of the assembly ; and toleration 
to all denominations of Christians, excepting Roman Catholics. 

37. It may be added, in this place, that the civil history of 
New York, from this period to the French War, presents few 
events of special interest to the young. The governors who suc- 
ceeded Sloughter, during the above interval, were Fletcher, 
1692 ; * the Earl of Bellamont, 1698 ; Lord Cornbury, 1702 ; 
Hunter, 1710; Burnet, 1720; Montgomery, 1731; Crosby, 
1732 ; Clark, 1736 ;t George Clinton, 1743. In general, these 
governors were strongly attached to the interests of the crown, 
and often apparently more solicitous to subserve their own selfish 
purposes than to advance the permanent welfare of the colony. 
Hence, collisions frequently arose between them and the colonial 
assemblies, which disturbed the general peace, and retarded the 
prosperity of the colony. 

VII. NEW JERSEY. 

1. New Jersey was so named, in 1664, at the time of its con- 
quest by the English from the Dutch, in honor of Sir George 
Carteret, who had been governor of the Isle of Jersey, in the 

* P. 78, where an account is given of Fletcher's visit to Connecticut. 

f During Governor Clark's administration, the supposed discovery of a 
negro plot occasioned great excitement in the city of New York; and in 
the progress of the commotion and alarm, many negroes were arrested and 
imprisoned. When the time of trial arrived, no lawyer could be found to 
defend them; consequently, their cause suffered* and, of the accused, four- 
teen were sentenced to be burned, eighteen to be hung, and seventy-one to 
be transported. Two whites were at the same time convicted, and suffered 
death, as concerned with them. 

But when the alarm was over, and calm judgment came to take the place 
of heat and prejudice, many persons came to doubt the justice or propriety 
of the course pursued. That some of the negroes had been guilty of firing 
the city, there was too much evidence to doubt; but serious doubts were 
entertained as to any extensive plot or combination among them. At least, 
the evidence of it was too vague and uncertain to justify such summary pro- 
ceedings. 

8* 



90 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

British Channel, and to whom, with Lord Berkley, the Duke of 
York conveyed the territory. 

2. Until the above year, the territory continued under the 
jurisdiction of the Dutch, at New Netherlands. In March of 
that year, Charles II. conveyed the whole territory to his brother, 
the Duke of York, who, in July, sold the tract called New Jer- 
sey to Carteret and Berkley, about three months prior to its 
reduction by Colonel Nichols.^ 

3. The first settlement in New Jersey was probably about the 
year 1620, at Bergen, a village a few miles west of New York. 
Fort Nassau, five miles from Camden, was built in 1623, but 
was deserted not long after. A few other settlements were 
made in the territory, but the settlement of Elizabethtown, in 
1664, by persons from Long Island, is generally fixed upon as 
the era of colonization. 

4. The following year, 1665, Philip Carteret, appointed gov- 
ernor by the proprietors, arrived at Elizabethtown, which he 
made the seat of government. He brought with him a constitu- 
tion for the colony, which ordained a free assembly, consisting 
of a governor, council, and representatives; the latter to bo 
chosen by each town. The legislative power resided in the 
assembly ; the executive, in the governor and council. 

5. The liberal provisions of this constitution, in connection 
with the fertility of the soil and salubrity of the climate, soon 
induced emigrants, chiefly from New England and New York, 
to form settlements within the territory. And, for some years, 
these settlements enjoyed an unusual exemption from the hard- 
ships and sufferings to which most of the other early colonies 
were subjected. 

6. On the occurrence of war between Holland and England, 
in 1672, New York was taken by the former, and again brought 
under Dutch government. New Jersey and Delaware also 
submitted. All, however, was returned to the English during 
the following year. 

7. In 1674, Lord Berkley made a conveyance of his half to 
John Fenwick, in trust for Edward Billinge and his assigns. 
Billinge, being in deb^, presented his interest in the province to 
his creditors, William Jones and others being appointed trustees 
to dispose of the lands. 

8. In the year 1676, the province of New Jersey was divided 
into East and West Jersey. In this division Carteret took 

* The grant to the duke was made March 22, and the sale to Carteret 
and Berkley July 4. The articles of capitulation were signed September 8 
Surrender of the whole territory, October 11. 



EVENTS IN NEW JERSEY. 91 

East Jersey, the government of which he retained ; and the 
trustees of Billinge, West Jersey. The Duke of York, though 
he had conveyed away his powers of government, when he sold 
the province to Berkley and Carteret, in 1664, unjustly claimed 
West Jersey, as a dependency of New York. These claims of the 
duke, Sir Edmund Andros, his governor in America, attempted 
to assert, and actually extended his jurisdiction over the prov- 
ince. But, at length, through the discontent and remonstrances 
of the citizens, the subject was referred to commissioners, who 
decided against the Duke of York; upon which, in 1680, he 
relinquished his claims to the proprietors. 

9. In 1682, Carteret, disgusted with the people, sold his right 
to East Jersey to William Penn and others, who immediately 
sold one half of it to the Earl of Perth and his associates. 
Ilobert Barclay, the celebrated author of " The Apology for the 
Quakers," was the next year made Governor of East Jersey. In 
1688, both the Jerseys and New York were annexed to New 
England, in which connection they continued till the accession 
of William and Mary to the throne of England, in 1689. " A 
government under the proprietors of both the Jerseys had become 
extremely disagreeable to the inhabitants, who, from various 
causes, became so uneasy, that the proprietors surrendered the 
•government of East and West Jersey to the crown in 1702." 

10. The two provinces were now united into one, and annexed 
to New York, under the government of Lord Cornbury. The 
people were allowed a House of Representatives, consisting of 
twenty-four members ; but the governor and council, consisting 
of twelve members, were appointed by the crown. 

11. From this time to 1738 the province continued under the 
Governors of New York ; but in that year an application made 
as early as 1728 for a separation from New York was granted, 
and Lewis Morris was appointed royal governor of the province. 

VIII. DELAWARE. 

1. Delaware was so called, in 1703, from Delaware Bay, on 
which it lies, and which received its name from Lord De la War, 
who died on board a vessel, while descending the bay. 

2. The first settlement effected within the bounds of Dela- 
ware was by a number of Swedes and Finns, who arrived from 
Sweden in 1638, in charge of Peter Minuits, the first Governor 
of New York, who, after leaving the Dutch (page 83), under- 
took to lead a colony to America, according to a plan originally 
devised by the celebrated Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, 



92 PERIOD U.— 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

On his arrival, Minuits, with his colony, settled on Christiana 
Creek, near Wilmington, and there built a fort. The territory 
extending from Cape Henlopen to the Falls of Trenton received 
the name of New Sweden. (Page 84.) 

3. The Dutch, at New Netherlands, however, laid claim to 
the territory, and mutual contests subsisted for a long time 
between them and the Swedes. Governor Kieft, by way of keep- 
ing them in check, rebuilt Fort Nassau, about five miles south 
from Camden, on the eastern bank of the Delaware, which was 
first erected in 1623, but, being neglected, had fallen to decay. 
The Swedish governor, John Printz, on the other hand, by way 
of retaining his position and gaining the ascendency over the 
Dutch, established himself at Tinicum, a few miles below Phila- 
delphia, where he not only erected an elegant mansion for him- 
self, but built a fort for the defence of the colony. Another 
fort was erected at Lewistown. 

4. In 1651 Governor Stuyvesant built Fort Casimir, on the 
present site of Newcastle, five miles from Christiana. To this 
Printz protested ; and his successor, Governor Rising, . under 
guise of making a friendly visit to the commandant, rose upon 
the garrison, and, with the aid of thirty men, took possession of 
the fort. 

5. Indignant at such an act of treachery, Governor Stuyvesant 
reported the outrage to the home government, which ordered 
him forthwith to bring the usurpers to submission. Accordingly, 
in 1655, he sailed from New York with six hundred troops, 
and, in a brief space of time, reduced the forts at Newcastle and 
Christiana, and, subsequently, all others belonging to the Swedes. 
Upon this, a portion of the latter, taking the oath of allegiance 
to Holland, remained on their estates ; a few removed to Mary- 
land and Virginia; the rest, among whom was Governor Rising, 
were sent to Europe. (Page 85.) 

6. From this time until 1664 the territory remained in pos- 
session of the Dutch ; but on the conquest of New Netherlands 
by the English, an expedition was sent against it, under Sir 
Robert Carr, to whom it surrendered, and was united to New 
York. In 1682, however, the Duke of York sold the town of 
Newcastle, and the country twelve miles around it, to William 
Penn, and, some time after, the territory between Newcastle 
and Cape Henlopen. These tracts, then known by the name of 
" Territories," constitute the present State of Delaware. Until 
1703, they were governed as a part of Pennsylvania; but, at 
that time, they had liberty from the proprietor to form a separata 
and distinct assembly ; the Governor of Pennsylvania, however 



GRANT TO LORD BALTIMORE. 98 

still exercising jurisdiction over them, until the era of the Rev- 
olution. 

7. In that momentous struggle, Delaware " acted well her 
part." The Delaware regiment greatly signalized itself for its 
energy and efficiency in the continental army. 

IX. MARYLAND. 

1. Maryland was so called in honor of Henrietta Maria, Queen 
of Charles I., in his patent to Lord Baltimore, June 30, 1632. 

2. Sir George Calvert, whose title was Lord Baltimore, was a 
Roman Catholic nobleman. Finding the laws against the Roman 
Catholics in England severe, he resolved to emigrate to Virginia, 
in the hope of enjoying a liberty of conscience which was not per- 
mitted in England during the reign of James the First. But 
he was disappointed. The Virginians proved nearly as intolerant 
as those he had left ; and he felt compelled to seek another asy- 
lum. 

3. This he proposed to find in a territory on both sides of 
Chesapeake Bay, then inhabited only by natives; and which 
having sufficiently explored, he returned to England, for the 
purpose of procuring a patent of it. From Charles I., who suc- 
ceeded James I., he readily received a grant of the territory; 
but he died before the patent was completed. 

4. It was, however, subsequently made out, in 1632, in favor 
of Cecil Calvert, son of Sir George, who inherited his father's 
title, and who now came into possession of the country from the 
Potomac to the fortieth degree of north latitude. This grant 
covered the land which had long before been granted to Virginia, 
as what was now granted to Lord Baltimore was in part subse- 
quently given to William Penn. In consequence of these arbitrary 
acts of the crown, long and obstinate contentions arose between 
the descendants of Penn and Lord Baltimore. 

5. In 1633, Lord Baltimore appointed his brother, Leonard 
Calvert, governor of the province, who, with about two hundred 
planters, mostly Roman Catholics, left England near the close of 
this year, and arriving, in 1634, at the mouth of the river Poto- 
mac, purchased of the Indians Yoamaco, a considerable village, 
where they formed a settlement by the name of Saint Mary's. 

6. Several circumstances contributed to the rapid growth and 
prosperity of Maryland. Her people were exempted from hos- 
tilities from the Indians, having satisfied them in the purchase 
of their land ; the soil was fertile, and the seasons mild. But, 
more than all, their charter conferred on them more ample privi< 



94 PERIOD II. — 1607—1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

leges than had been conferred on any other colony in America, 
It secured to emigrants equality in religious rights, and civil 
freedom ; and it granted the privilege of passing laws, without 
any reservation on the part of the crown to revoke them. Even 
taxes could not be imposed upon the inhabitants without their 
consent. 

7. At first, when few in number, the freemen assembled in 
person, and enacted the necessary laws ; but, in 1639, it was 
found expedient to constitute a " house of assembly." This 
consisted of representatives chosen by the people, of others 
appointed by the proprietor, and of the governor and secretary, 
who sat together. In 1650, the legislative body was divided 
into an upper and lower house; the members of the former 
being appointed by the proprietor, those of the latter by the 
people. 

8. Few of the colonies escaped intestine troubles, nor did 
Maryland form an exception. In 1635, a rebellion broke out, 
chiefly caused by one William Clayborne. This man, under 
license of the king to trade with the Indians, had formed a settle- 
ment on the Island of Kent, nearly opposite Annapolis ; and 
when the grant was made to Lord Baltimore, he refused to sub- 
mit to his authority, and attempted to maintain his possession by 
force of arms. His followers, however, were taken prisoners, and 
he himself fled. The Maryland assembly confiscated his estate, 
and declared him guilty of treason. 

9. Early in 1645, Clayborne once more returned to Mary- 
land, and, heading a party of insurgents, overthrew the govern- 
ment. Calvert, the governor, was compelled to take refuge in 
Virginia. The revolt, however, was suppressed the following 
year, and Calvert resumed his office. 

10. In 1649, the assembly of the colony reiterated in solemn 
form the original and fundamental principles of religious toleration 
of Lord Baltimore, in an act that no one professing faith in Jesus 
Christ should be molested on account of such belief, or in the free 
exercise of his religion ; and, that any one who should reproach 
another on account of his religious creed should pay a fine to the 
person thus abused. Thus religious toleration was established by 
law ; and its benign influence was early perceived. Maryland 
presented an asylum for all who felt themselves religiouslj 
oppressed ; and hither came Puritans from the south, and church 
men from the north, and found a welcome reception, and th* 
largest liberty. 

11. In 1651, Parliament, having triumphed over King Charles 
£., appointed commissioners, of whom Clayborne, the enemy of 



CIVIL WAR IN MARYLAND. 95 

Maryland, was one, " to reduce and govern the colonies within 
the Bay of Chesapeake." This gave rise to a civil war in Mary- 
land, between the Catholics, who adhered to the proprietor, and 
the Protestants, who sided with the Parliament. At first, Stone, 
the lieutenant of the proprietor, was removed; but was soon 
restored, on his consenting to acknowledge the authority of Parlia- 
ment. But, in 1654, the commissioners again visited Maryland, 
and required him to surrender the government. 

12. The next assembly which convened, which was entirely 
under the influence of the Protestant and now victorious party, 
ordained that no person professing the Catholic religion was 
entitled to the protection of the laws. Early the following year, 
1655, civil war commenced. Having organized a military band, 
Stone assumed the government, intending to maintain his posi- 
tion by force ; but the Protestant party resisted, and, at length, a 
battle ensued, in which the Catholics were defeated, with a loss of 
fifty killed. Stone was taken prisoner, and was executed, with 
four others, men of note in the province.^ 

13. At the Restoration, in 1660, Lord Baltimore was once more 
restored to his rights, and Philip Calvert appointed governor. A 
general pardon was extended to all political offenders, and the 
former mild and liberal principles of the proprietor once more 
held sway in Maryland. 

14. Towards the close of the year 1675, Cecil, Lord Baltimore, 
the founder of Maryland, died, and was succeeded by his son 
Charles, both in his honors and estates. For more than forty 
years, Cecil Calvert, in presiding over the province as its proprietor, 
had displayed the highest regard for the rights and happiness of 
others. He deserved well of posterity, and his name will be 
long honored and revered by the people of Maryland. In 
integrity, benevolence and practical wisdom, the son strongly 
resembled the father. 

15. On the accession of William and Mary to the throne of 
England, 1689, the tranquillity of Maryland was again interrupted. 
A rumor waa fabricated, and industriously circulated, that the 
Catholics had combined with the Indians to cut off the Protestants 
of the colony. This roused the latter in their own defence, and 
to the assertion of the rights of the king and queen. An associa- 
tion was formed and armed for these purposes, which the Catholics 
attempting to subdue by force, failed, and were compelled to 
relinquish the government into the hands of the former. 

* Some authorities say that Stone and hia associates were only long im> 
prisoned. 



96 PERIOD n. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

16. And in their hands it continued till 1691, when the king, 
in the exercise of sovereign power, wrested the province from Lord 
Baltimore, and erected it into a royal government. And in the 
further exercise of sovereignty, the following year, he sent Sir 
Lionel Copley as royal governor, to take charge of the province. 
Under him religious toleration was disallowed, and the Church 
of England's forms of worship were established and supported by 
law. 

17. But in 1716 this great wrong was rectified. The heir 
of Lord Baltimore, although an infant, was reestablished in his 
rights ; the proprietary form of government was restored ; and 
thus matters continued till the war of the Revolution, when the 
people formed a constitution for themselves, and no longer recog- 
nized the claims of the quondam proprietor to either jurisdiction 
or property. 

X. PENNSYLVANIA. 

1. Pennsylvania was so called in 1681, after William Penn, 
the founder of Philadelphia. 

2. This William Penn was the son of Sir William Penn, an 
admiral in the British navy, who rendered important services to 
the nation, on account of which, and by way of recompense, 
Charles II. granted to the son the territory of Pennsylvania, so 
naming it after Penn himself. 

3. This patent encroached on the territory of Lord Baltimore 
in Maryland one whole degree, or sixty-nine miles and a half; 
and on the north, nearly three hundred miles, across the whole 
territory conveyed to Connecticut in 1631,^ and confirmed by 
the royal charter of 1662. Hence arose contentions between the 
colonies of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, about boundaries, that 
were not settled till a century after. Within a short time from 
the date of the grant by King Charles to Penn, two other con- 
veyances were made to him, by the Duke of York. One was a 
bill of sale of Newcastle, and a territory of twelve miles around 
it. The other was a bill granting a tract south of the former, as 
far as Cape Henlopen. These two deeds embraced the whole 
State of Delaware, known at that time by the name of the 
" Territories." 

4. Penn himself was a Quaker, or member of the Society of 
Friends ; a man of large and liberal views, and of great benevo- 
lence and integrity of purpose. And now, having obtained 
possession of a valuable territory, he was desirous of founding a 

* See page 71. 



LIBERAL CONDUCT OF PENN. 97 

colony where civil and religious liberty might be enjoyed, and 
the people of which might dwell together in the bonds of peace. 

5. To the Swedish settlements already existing in the terri- 
tory he gave the assurance that they should in no wise be 
molested in their religion or laws. He desired their welfare, 
&nd they might seek it in their own way. 

6. As it was Penn's object and interest to forward the settle- 
ment of his territory, he issued an invitation to purchasers, offer- 
ing them land on the liberal condition of one thousand acres for 
twenty pounds, or at an annual rent of one penny per acre. 
Many persons, chiefly Quakers, were induced to purchase ; and, 
in the fall of the same year, three ships, with settlers, sailed for 
Pennsylvania. In one of these ships came over the agent and 
deputy-governor of the proprietor, William Markham, to super- 
intend the affairs of the colony, and to establish a good under- 
standing with the Indians. At the same time, Penn addressed 
a letter to the latter, residing on the territory, assuring them of 
his pacific disposition, and his determination, should difficulties 
arise between them and the emigrants, to have them settled on 
principles of equity. 

7. The next year, Penn published a form of government, by 
which the supreme power was lodged in a general assembly, to 
consist of a governor, council, and house of delegates : the coun- 
cil and house to be chosen by the freemen ; the proprietor and 
governor to preside, and to have a treble voice in the council, 
which was to consist of seventy-two members. It was also agreed 
that every person of good moral character, professing his faith in 
Christ, should be a freeman, and capable of holding any office ; 
and that none who believed in one God should be molested in his 
religion, or be compelled to attend or maintain religious worship. 

8. In November,^ Penn, with two thousand planters, mostly 
Quakers, arrived at Newcastle, which was a part of the " Ter- 
ritories." Upon this tract he found settled, as already noticed, 
about three thousand Dutch, Swedes and Finns. He proceeded 
to Chester, where, in December, he convoked an assembly ; but, 
so few delegates appearing, he ordered that, instead of seventy 
two, three members only should constitute the council, and nine 
the house of assembly. This assembly annexed the Territories to 

* That was a beautifully simple letter in which Penn took leave of his 
family. To his wife he said, " Live low and sparingly till my debts are 
paid." Yet for his children, he adds : " Let their learning be liberal ; 
spare no cost, for by such parsimony all is lost that is saved. Let my chil* 
dren be husbandmen and housewives." 

9 



98 Period n.—i607—i756.— settlements. 

the province, adopted a frame of government, and enacted a body 
of laws. 

9. Markham having, according to instructions, secured the 
assent of the neighboring Indians to the form of a treaty, Penn, 
some weeks after his arrival, met a numerous delegation of these 
tribes, to ratify the same. This was one of the most interesting 
scenes in our colonial history. The spot selected for the transac- 
tion was beneath a large elm- tree, at Shaxamaxon, since Ken- 
sington, the north-east suburb of Philadelphia, on the Delaware. 
On his arrival at the spot, attended by a few friends, the simple 
children of the forest gathered around him, and he thus 
addressed them : " We meet on the broad pathway of good 
faith and good will ; no advantage shall be taken on either side, 
but all shall be openness and love. I will not call you children ; 
for parents sometimes chide their children too severely : nor 
brothers only; — brothers differ. The friendship between me and 
you, I will not compare to a chain ; for the rains may rust, or the 
falling tree might break. We are the same as if one man's body 
were to be divided into two parts, — we are all one flesh and 
blood." 

10. Touched by this warm-hearted and generous address, the 
Indians accepted the presents which followed, and, in return, 
gave the belt of wampum. And to this they added, "We will 
live in love with William Penn and his children, as long as the 
moon and the sun shall endure." " And now," says Mr. Ban- 
croft, " the simple sons of the forest, returning to their wigwams, 
kept the history of the covenant by strings of wampum ; and long 
afterwards, in the cabin, would count over the shells on a clean 
piece of bark, and recall to the memory, and repeat to their 
children or to strangers, the words of William Penn." And it 
is remarkable that all this was accomplished so kindly, so gently, 
when the more northern colonies of New England had just been 
embroiled in a long and disastrous war with Indian tribes. 
JBut Penn was eminently bent on peace, and he had the advan- 
tage of the sad experience of others. The result of and the 
reward of his kindness and integrity was, " that not a drop of 
Quaker blood was ever shed by an Indian." 

11. A few months after Penn's arrival, he commenced thy 
city of Philadelphia, or " Brotherly Love," — a name in keeping 
with all his other transactions. The land being a part of the 
tract owned by the Swedes, who had already erected a church 
there, he purchased it of them. The growth of the city was 
rapid, numbering, at the close of a year, nearly a hundred houses 



PROSPERITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 99 

and cottages, and at the expiration of the second year, two thou- 
sand five hundred inhabitants. 

12. Pennsylvania had a more rapid and prosperous settle- 
ment than any of the other colonies. This was doubtless owing, 
in part, to its healthful climate and fruitful soil ; parti y to the 
fact, that the great obstacles of settlement. had been overcome by 
the other colonies ; and, partly, to the religious tolerance, mildness 
and equity, which characterized its laws and their administration. 

13. In 1683, Penn convened a second assembly, which was 
held in Philadelphia ; and, at the request of the freemen and 
delegates, granted them a second charter, by which eighteen per- 
sons were to form a council, and thirty-six the assembly. At 
this time it was ordained, " that, to prevent law-suits, three arbi- 
trators, to be called peace-makers, should be chosen by the 
county courts, to hear and determine small differences between 
man and man ; that children should be taught some useful 
trade ; that factors wronging their emplo} T ers should make sat- 
isfaction, and one-third over ; that all causes of rudeness, cruelty 
and irreligion, should be repressed ; and that no man should be 
molested for his religious opinions." To these wholesome regula- 
tions Pennsylvania was indebted for her great prosperity and 
rapid settlement. 

14. In 1684, Penn returned to England, leaving the admin- 
istration of the government in the care of five commissioners. 
Soon after, James II. abdicated the throne. For this monarch 
Penn felt a sincere regard, and continued, even after his expul- 
sion from the throne, to administer the colonial government in 
his name. This exciting the displeasure of William, successor 
of James, his friends caused Penn to be imprisoned several times ; 
and the government of the colony was taken from him, and given 
to Colonel Fletcher, Governor of New York. But, some time 
after, the charges of disloyalty to "William having been proved to 
be unfounded, he was permitted to resume the exercise of his 
rights, whereupon he appointed William Markham to be his 
deputy-governor. 

15. In 1699, Penn made a second visit to Pennsylvania. 
Finding discontents had crept in, in relation to the government, 
he humanely prepared a new charter, on still more liberal princi- 
ples. This was offered November 7th, 1701, and accepted, on 
the same day, by the people 'of Pennsylvania ; but the "Terri- 
tories," now Delaware, declining, they were allowed a distinct 
assembly, under the same governor. The assembly was first 
convened in 1703. 

16. Having thus settled affairs, Penn again returned to Eng* 



100 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

land, leaving the executive authority to be exercised by a deputy* 
governor. Discontentment, however, again appeared, and at 
times the deputy-governors became quite obnoxious to the peo- 
ple. Still, the colony prospered ; — they lived in great harmony 
with the Indians, and increased in numbers and wealth. At 
length, about the commencement of the Revolutionary War, the 
people formed a new constitution, by which the proprietor was 
excluded frJm all participation in the government ; and, by way 
of discharging all quit-rents due from the inhabitants, he was 
allowed about five hundred and eighty thousand dollars.^ 

XI. CAROLINAS. 

1. Carolina (North and South) was so called by the French, 
in 1563 or 1564, in honor of Charles IX., King of France 
(Carolus, in Latin, meaning Charles), under whose patronage the 
coast was discovered. 

2. The territory thus named afterwards included the lands 
between the 30th and 36th degrees of north latitude, and extended 
from the Atlantic Ocean to the South Sea, or Pacific Ocean. 
In 1663, this defined territory t was conveyed, by Charles II., 
King of England, who claimed it by virtue of Cabot's discovery, 
to Lord Clarendon, Sir William Berkley, Sir George Carteret, 
and four others,! with ample powers to settle and govern it. 
Bancroft says they begged the country, under pretence of "a 
pious zeal for the propagation of the Gospel ;" and their sole 
object was the increase of their own wealth and dignity. 

3. Between 1640 and 1650, before the above grant to 
Clarendon and others, a settlement had been begun by planters 
from Virginia, near the mouth of the Chowan, on the northern 
shore of Albemarle Sound. This settlement was placed, by 
Governor Berkley, of Virginia, under the superintendence of 
William Drummond. The little plantation received the name 
of the Albemarle County Colony, in honor of the Duke of 
Albemarle, one of the proprietors. 

4. In 1665, a second permanent settlement was effected, near 
the mouth of the Clarendon or Cape Fear river, by emigrants 
from the Island of Barbadoes. This was called the Clarendon 
County Colony. It had a similar constitution with the more 

* William Perm died in England, in 1718. He left his interest in Pennsyl- 
vania and Delaware to his surviving sons, John, Thomas and luchard, who 
continued to hold tho same, and to administer the government, by agents or 
deputies, till the American Revolution. 

t The territory included, also, the present State of Georgia. 

j The four others were the Duke of Albemarle, Lord Craven, Lord Ashley, 
and Sir Jobn Colleton. 



EVENTS IN THE CAROLINAS. 101 

northern colony. Sir John Yeamans was the first governor 
Both of the above settlements, or colonies, were within the 
present limits of -North Carolina. 

5. In 1670, a third colony was founded, called the Carteret 
County Colony, after Sir George Carteret. The colonists were 
accompanied by Governor Sayle, who had previously explored 
the coast. The ships which bore the emigrants first entered the 
harbor of Port Royal, near Beaufort ; but, not being pleased with 
the place, they not long after sailed into Ashley river, and laid 
the foundations of Old Charleston. In 1680, this settlement 
was abandoned for Oyster Point, on which was commenced the 
present city of Charleston. This was the commencement of 
South Carolina. 

6. During the administration of Governor Sayle, a form of 
government was prepared for these colonies, at the request of the 
celebrated Lord Shaftesbury, acting in behalf of the proprietors, 
by the still more celebrated John Locke. It proposed a court, 
to consist of the proprietors, one of whom was to be elected 
president for life ; also, an hereditary nobility, and a parliament, 
the latter to consist of the two former, and representatives from 
each district. All were to meet in one apartment, and to have 
an equal voice. This ill-contrived and absurd plan of govern- 
ment was attempted to be applied in practice, but it was found 
to be impracticable. In Albemarle county, it caused an insur- 
rection. It was therefore abandoned, and the former proprietary 
government restored. 

7. In the year 1671, Governor Sayle dying, Sir John Yea- 
mans, Governor of Clarendon, was appointed to succeed him. In 
consequence of this, and the little prosperity of the colony, chiefly 
arising from the barrenness of its soil, the inhabitants of this lat- 
ter settlement, within a few years, removed to that of Charleston,, 
and the three governments, consequently, were reduced to two. 
Being widely separated, the distinctive names of North and South 
Carolina began to be used in respect to them. 

I. North Carolina Colony. — 1. The progress of the Albe- 
marle or North Carolina Colony was long retarded by domestic 
dissensions. An insurrectionary state of the inhabitants arose 
out of an attempt to enforce Mr. Locke's plan of government ; ■ — 
taxes were enormous, and commercial restrictions embarrassing. 
In 1677, in attempts by the officers to enforce the revenue 
laws against a smuggler from New England, the people rose 
upon the government, and imprisoned the president of the 
colony and six members of the council, and, having done this, 
assumed the prerogative of governing themselves. 
9* 



102 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

2. In 1683, the proprietors sent over Seth Sothel, one of their 
number, hoping through him to restore quiet and contentment. 
But he only increased existing disorders. For six years, the 
inhabitants endured his injustice and oppression, and then seized 
him, and, after trying him, banished him from the colony. 
What must that officer of a government be, of whom an historian 
remarks, " The dark shades of his character were not relieved by 
a single ray of virtue " ? 

3. Philip Ludwell, of Virginia, succeeded the infamous and 
exacting Sothel, and redressed the wrongs he had done. Under 
him, and his successor, Sir John Archdale, in 1695, a Quaker, 
and an excellent man, order was restored to the colony. Emi- 
grants began to flock in, and various other portions of the terri- 
tory, in the course of a few years, were settled. Liberal assign- 
ments of land were made them by the proprietors, and here 
many, who had fled from religious persecutions, or the devasta- 
tions of war, in foreign lands, found a peaceful and grateful asy- 
lum. This was particularly true of a company of French 
Protestants, who arrived in 1707, and settled on the river 
Trent, a branch of the Neuse, and of a large number of Ger- 
mans, who fled from persecution in 1710, and planted themselves 
in the same part of the province. These were a great accession 
to the strength and numbers of the colony, which, though of sixty 
years' standing, remained exceedingly small. 

4. But the inhabitants of this colony were destined soon to 
experience a sad, and, to many, a fatal calamity. The Indian 
tribes on the sea-coast, once numerous and powerful, were fast 
dwindling before the enterprise of the colonists. To the more 
inland tribes, especially the Tuscaroras and the Corees, this was 
an indication not to be mistaken that the days of their prosperity 
were fast numbering. Grieved and exasperated at the prospect 
before them, they now combined with other tribes to utterly 
exterminate the new settlers. This purpose they attempted to 
carry into effect ; and so successful were they, that in one night 
(October 2, 1711) they massacred one hundred and thirty per- 
sons belonging to the settlements along the Roanoke river and 
Pamlico Sound. 

5. A few, escaping, hastened to South Carolina, for assistance. 
Governor Craven immediately despatched to their aid nearly a 
thousand men, under Colonel Barnwell. On his arrival, he 
defeated the enemy in several actions ; and, at length, pursued 
them to their fortified town, which capitulated, and peace was 
concluded. 

6. But it proved of short duration. The Indians renewed 



PROGRESS OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 103 

iWr "hostilities, and the assistance of the southern colony was again 
involved. In response, Colonel Moore set forth for the hostile 
territory, with a competent force, — forty white men, and eight 
hundred friendly Indians. They reduced the fort of the Tusca- 
roras, and with it took eight hundred prisoners. Broken and 
disheartened by this defeat, the tribe, in 1713, migrated north, 
and became the sixth nation of the great Iroquois Confederacy, 
— sometimes called the Five, and, after this event, the Six 
Nations. In 1715, a treaty was concluded with the Corees. 

7. In 1719, the proprietary government, which had continued 
from the settlement of the colony till now, was terminated, in 
consequence of difficulties between the inhabitants and the pro- 
prietors. Their charter was vacated by the crown, and royal 
government substituted. Ten years after, 1729, the proprietors 
surrendered their right to the government, and interest in the 
soil, to the king ; upon which the province was divided into North 
and South Carolina, and their governors and councils were 
appointed by the crown. 

II. South Carolina Colony. — 1. The foundation of the 
Carteret or Southern Colony, in Carolina, was laid by Governor 
Sayle, and emigrants accompanying him, in the settlement of 
Old Charleston, in 1670. (See page 101.) Sayle falling a vic- 
tim to some disease of the climate early the following year, Sir 
John Yeamans, then Governor of Clarendon Colony, was ap- 
pointed his successor. On being transferred, he drew after him 
a considerable portion of the latter colony. 

2. The progress of the southern colony was, from the com- 
mencement, more rapid than that of the northern. Several cir- 
cumstances contributed to this. The soil was more feasible and 
fertile. Many Dutch families from New York, dissatisfied with 
the transfer of their home to the English, in 1664, were read} 
to find a home here; and, in 1671, ship-loads of them were 
transported by the proprietors to Carolina, free of expense, and 
liberal grants of land were made them. They chiefly concen- 
trated at a place called Jamestown, west of the Ashley river, 
where they were, from time to time, enforced by emigrants from 
Holland. The profanity and licentiousness of the court of 
Charles II. also drove not a few Puritan refugees across the 
Atlantic, a considerable number of whom settled in Carolina. 

3. In 1680, the people of Old Charleston, attracted by the 
more pleasant location of a point of land between the rivers Ash- 
ley and Cooper, called " Oyster Point," removed thither, and 
there laid the foundation of the present city of Charleston, which, 
from that time, has had the honor of being the capital of the 
eolony and state. 



104 PERIOD H. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

4. They were, however, immediately afterward, annoyed, and 
the safety of the place even endangered, by the hostile and pred- 
atory conduct of the Westoes, a powerful tribe of Indians in the 
neighborhood. Retaliatory measures became necessary ; num- 
bers of the Indians were shot ; and others, who were captured, 
were sent into slavery, in the "West Indies. Fortunately, peace 
was made with them the following year. 

5. In 1686, soon after the revocation of the edict of Nantes, 
by Louis XIV., a large number of Huguenots, or French Prot- 
estants, came over, and settled in the colony. To the English 
settlers, who were Episcopal, these refugees, being of so different 
a faith, were by no means welcome ; and they were quite dis- 
posed to drive them from the colony, notwithstanding the lattsr 
had been introduced by the proprietors under an assurance of 
enjoying the rights of citizenship. 

6. About this time, James Colleton, a brother of Sir John, 
was appointed governor, under an expectation that he would be 
able to reduce the people to a proper submission to proprietary 
authority, to which they had for a long time seemed averse. 
But his arbitrary conduct, in excluding refractory members 
from the colonial assembly, and in attempting to collect rents 
claimed by the proprietors as due, drove the people to open 
resistance. The public records were seized, the colonial secre- 
tary imprisoned, the governor defied, and, at length, banished 
from the colony. 

7. In 1690, that notable person, Seth Sothel, who, for his 
corrupt conduct, had been driven from North Carolina in dis- 
grace (page 102), appeared in the province, and was allowed by 
the people to assume the government. But, impelled by his 
avarice to acts of meanness and oppression, as formerly, at tho 
expiration of two years he was banished from the colony. Next, 
Philip Ludwell was appointed by the proprietors as the person 
to teach the South Carolinians submission and good manners ; 
but they were too turbulent, as he thought, and he became glad, 
at no distant day, to retire. 

8. In 1695, John Archdale, the Quaker, was appointed gov- 
ernor, with power to redress all grievances. The people had 
long complained against their rulers, and had quarrelled among 
themselves. Archdale, by a wise and conciliatory course, restored 
harmony, and removed the causes of civil dissatisfaction. He 
introduced a more republican form of government, thus restoring 
to the people rights and privileges which had been monopolized 
by the proprietors, or their agents. 

9 One difficulty, however, still remained, and which he w* 



EXPEDITION AGAINST ST. AUGUSTINE. 105 

compelled to leave to the "softening influence of time" to 
remove. This was the jealousy and antipathy, already alluded 
to, of the English Episcopalians against the French Protestants. 
The latter, it was contended, could not legally hold real estate in 
the colony ; that the French ministers could not lawfully sol- 
emnize marriages; and the children of the refugees must be 
debarred inheriting the property of their fathers. 

10. But these animosities and differences found an end. 
When, at length, the inoffensive and even exemplary lives of 
these exiles were observed by the English, and also their uni 
form and liberal efforts to sustain and advance the interests of 
the colony, prejudice and opposition yielded; and, in a few 
years, the colonial assembly gladly extended to them all the 
rights of citizens and freemen.^ 

11. Soon after the declaration of war, in 1702, by England 
against France and Spain, called " Queen Anne's War," Gov- 
ernor Moore proposed to the assembly of the colony an expedi- 
tion against the Spanish settlement of St. Augustine, in Florida. 
To this the more considerate of the assembly were opposed ; but, 
the enterprise being approved by a majority, nearly ten thou- 
sand dollars were appropriated for the object, and twelve hun- 
dred troops raised, one-half of whom were Indians. With the 
forces above named, and some merchant vessels, impressed as 
transports, Governor Moore sailed for St. Augustine. The 
design was for Colonel Daniel, an enterprising officer, to proceed 
by the inland passage, and to attack the town by land, with a 
party of militia and Indians ; while Moore was to proceed by 
sea, and take possession of the harbor. Daniel advanced against 
the town, entered and plundered it, before the governor's arrival. 
The Spaniards, however, retired to the castle, with their princi- 
pal riches, and with provisions for four months. 

12. The governor, on his arrival, could effect nothing, for 
want of artillery. In this emergency, Daniel was despatched to 
Jamaica, for cannon, mortars, &c. During his absence, two 
large Spanish ships appearing off the harbor, Governor Moore 
hastily raised the siege, abandoned his shipping, and made a pre- 
cipitate retreat into Carolina. Colonel Daniel, having no intel- 
ligence that the siege had been raised, on his return, stood in for 
the harbor, and narrowly escaped the ships of the enemy. In 

* It is a complimentary remark, due to South Carolina, which Mr. Ban« 
iroft makes, namely : " Religious bigotry never disgraced South Carolina. 
If full hospitality was, for a season, withheld, the delay grew out of a con. 
troversy in which all Carolina had a common interest ; and the privileges of 
citizen were conceded, so soon as it could be done, by Carolinians themselves. n 



106 PERIOD n. — 1607— 1756.— k-^TLEMENTS. 

consequence of this rash and unfortunate enterprise, the colony 
Was loaded with a debt of nearly thirty thousand dollars, which 
gave rise to the first paper currency in Carolina, and was the 
means of filling the colony with dissension and tumult. 

13. The failure of this expedition was soon after, in a meas- 
ure, compensated by a successful war with the Apalachian 
Indians, who, in consequence of their connection with the Span- 
iards, became insolent and hostile. Governor Moore, with a 
body of white men and Indian allies, marched into the heart of 
their country, and compelled them to submit to the English. 
All the towns of the tribes between the rivers Altamaha and 
Savannah were burnt, and between six hundred and eight hun- 
dred Indians were made prisoners. 

14. In 1704, Sir Nathaniel Johnson succeeded Governor 
Moore ; and now, under his influence, a long-cherished object of 
the proprietors was accomplished. This was the establishment 
of the Church of England forms of worship as the religion of 
the province, and the exclusion of dissenters from all participa- 
tion in the government. But, in 1706, these laws of exclusion 
or disfranchisement were repealed, by direction of the English 
Parliament, which decided that they were inconsistent with the 
laws of England. But the acts establishing the Church of Eng- 
land religion continued in force, until they were abrogated by 
the Revolution. 

15. In 1706, while yet Queen Anne's War continued, a 
French and Spanish squadron, consisting of a French frigate and 
four armed sloops, appeared before Charleston, wiih a design of 
annexing Carolina to Florida ; but, by the prompt and energetic 
efforts of the governor, seconded by Colonel Rhett and the inhab- 
itants, this issue was averted.^ 

* When, at length, the enemy had passed the bar, he sent a summons to 
the governor to surrender. Four hours were allowed him to return his 
answer. But the governor informed the messenger that he did not wish 
one minute. On the reception of this answer, the enemy seemed to hesitate, 
and attempted nothing that day. 

The day succeeding, a party of the enemy, landing on James Island, burnt 
a village by the river's side. Another party landed at Wando Neck. The 
nest day both these parties were dislodged ; the latter party being sur- 
prised, and nearly all killed or taken prisoners. 

This success so animated the Carolinians, that it was determined to attack 
the enemy by sea. This was attempted with a force of six vessels, under 
command of Rhett; but, on his appearance, the enemy weighed anchor, and 
precipitately fled. 

Some days succeeding, Monsieur Arbuset appeared on the coast with a 
Bhip of force, and landed a number of men at Sewee Bay. Rhett sailed out 
against him ; and, at tho same time, Captain Fenwick crossed the river, 
inarching to attack tho enemy by land. After a brisk engagement, Fen 



DANGER OF THE COLONY. 107 

16. In 1715, the province came near the verge of ruin, by 
r -ason of a combination of the Yamassees and other Indian 
Libes — stretching from Cape Fear to Florida — against them. 
The 15th of April, 1715, was fixed upon as the day of their 
general destruction. Owing, however, to the wisdom, despatch 
and firmness of Governor Craven, and the blessing of Providence, 
the calamity was, in a measure, averted, and the colonies saved, 
though at the expense, during the war, of near four hundred of 
the inhabitants. The Yamassees were expelled the province, 
and took refuge among the Spaniards, in Florida. 

17. 1719. — The people of Carolina, having been long disgusted 
with the management of the proprietors, were resolved, at all 
hazards, to execute their own laws, and defend the rights of the 
province. A subscription to this effect was drawn up, and gen- 
erally signed. On the meeting of the assembly, a committee 
was sent, with this subscription, to the governor, Robert John- 
son, requesting him to accept the government of the province, 
under the king, instead of the proprietors. Upon his refusal, 
the assembly chose Colonel James Moore governor, under the 
crown ; and on the 21st of December, 1719, the convention and 
militia marched to Charleston fort, and proclaimed Moore gov- 
ernor, in his majesty's name. 

18. The Carolinians, having thus assumed the government, in 
behalf of the king, referred their complaints to the royal ear. 
On a hearing of the case, the privy council adjudged that the 
proprietors had forfeited their charter. From this time, there- 
fore, the colony was taken under the royal protection, under 
which it continued till the American Revolution. This change 
was followed, in 1729, by another, nearly as important. This 
was an agreement, between the proprietors and the crown, that 
the former should surrender to the crown their right and inter- 
est, both to the government and soil, for the sum of seventeen 
thousand five hundred pounds sterling. This agreement being 
carried into effect, the province was divided into North and 
South Carolina, each province having a distinct governor, under 
the crown of England. 

XII. GEORGIA. 

1. Georgia received its name, in 1732, in honor of George 
II., King of England. 

2. The territory of Georgia was originally included in the 
Carolina patent granted -to Lord Clarendon and his associates, 

Wick took the enemy on land prisoners, and Rhett succeeded in capturing 
Ihe ship. 



108 PERIOD H. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

but it was a region wild and unoccupied, except by savage tribes 
at the time the proprietors surrendered their Interest in it to 
the crowr, in 1729 (page 107). It was competent, therefore, 
for the king to re-grant it to whom he pleased. But, at tho 
same time, Spain laid claim to it, as constituting a part of Florida. 

3. In 1732, several gentlemen in England, at the head of 
whom was James Oglethorpe, a member of the British Parlia- 
ment, and greatly distinguished for his philanthropic views, con- 
certed a plan for planting a colony in America, for the indigent 
and persecuted in Britain ; where the one class might find relief 
from poverty, and the other from persecution. 

4. George II., in token of -his approbation of the enterprise, 
granted to a corporation, " in trust for the poor," the said terri- 
tory of Georgia, which was to be apportioned gratuitously among 
the settlers. Liberal donations were made by the charitable, to 
defray the expenses of the first company of settlers to the new 
province. 

5. In November of the same year, these, consisting of one 
hundred and sixteen in number, embarked from England, under 
the kind and enterprising Oglethorpe ; and, after touching at 
Charleston, they landed, in February, on the banks of the Savan- 
nah. For several days the people were employed in erecting a 
fortification, and in felling the woods, while the general marked 
out the town. This was begun on Yamacraw Bluff, to which 
was given the name Savannah, after the Indian name of the 
river. The fort being completed, the guns mounted, and the 
colony put in a state of safety, the next object of Oglethorpe's 
attention was to treat with the Indians for a share of their pos- 
sessions. 

6. In pursuance of this object, he collected fifty chiefs, before 
whom he spread his wants and wishes, in regard to the purchase 
of territory. He then distributed presents ; upon which, Toino- 
chichi, in the name of the Greeks, made a speech to him. Among 
other things, he said, " Here is a little present ; " and then gave 
him a buffalo's skin, painted on the inside with the head and 
feathers of an eagle, and desired him to accept it, " because the 
eagle signified speed, and the buffalo, strength. The English," 
he proceeded to say, " are swift as a bird, and as strong as a 
beast ; since, like the first, they fly over the vast seas, and, like 
the second, nothing can withstand them. The feathers of the 
eagle are soft, and signify Love ; the buffalo's skin is warm, 
and signifies Protection : he hoped, therefore, that they would 
love and protect their families." 

7. In treating with these and other Indians, Oglethorpe waa 



STORY OF MARY MUSGROVE. 109 

greatly assisted by an Indian woman whom he found at Savan- 
nah, by the name of Mary Musgrove. She had resided among 
the English, in another part of the country, and was well ac- 
quainted with their language. She was of great use, therefore, 
to Oglethorpe, as an interpreter, for which service he gave her 
a hundred pounds a year.* 

* Among those who came over with Oglethorpe was a man by the name 
of Thomas Bosomworth, who was the chaplain of the colony. Soon after 
his arrival at Savannah, he married the above-mentioned Mary Musgrove. 
Unhappily, Bosomworth was at heart a bad man. He was distinguished 
for his pride, and love of riches and influence. He was also artful and 
intriguing ; yet, on account of his profession, he was, for a time, much 
respected by the Indians. 

At one of the great councils of the Indians, Bosomworth induced the 
chiefs to crown Malatche, one of the greatest among them, Empress of all 
the Creeks. After this, he persuaded his wife to call herself the eldest sister 
of Malatche; and she told the Indians that one of her grandfathers had 
been made king, by the Great Spirit, over all the Creeks. The Indians, be- 
lieving what Mary told them, for they had become very proud of her since 
Oglethorpe had been so kind to her, acknowledged her for their queen. 
Upon this, they called a great meeting of the chiefs, and Mary made them a 
long talk. She told them that the whites were their enemies, and had done 
them much injury ; that they were getting away the lands of the Indians, and 
would soon drive them from all then* possessions. Said she, " We must as- 
sert our rights ; we must drive them from our territories ! Let us call forth 
our warriors ; I will head them. Stand by me, and the houses which they 
have erected shall smoke in ruins !" The spirit of Quoen Mary was con- 
tagious. Every chief present declared himself ready to defend her to the last 
drop of his blood. 

After due preparation, the warriors were called forth. They had painted 
themselves afresh, and sharpened anew their tomahawks for the battle. 
Then- march was now commenced. Queen Mary, attended by her infamous 
husband, the real author and instigator of all their discontent, headed the 
savage throng. Before they reached Savannah, their approach was an- 
nounced. The people were alarmed. They were few in number, and though 
they had a fortification and cannon, they had no good reason to hope that 
they should be able to ward off the deadly blow which was aimed against 
them. 

By this time, the savages were in sight of Savannah. At this critical 
moment, an Englishman, by the name of Noble Jones, a bold and daring 
man, rode forth, with a few spirited men, on horseback, to meet them. As 
he approached them, he exclaimed, in a voice like thunder, " Ground your 
aims ! ground your arms ! Not an armed Indian shall set his foot in this 
town." 

Awe-struck at his lofty tone, and perceiving him and his companions 
ready to dash in among them, they paused, and soon after laid down their 
arms. Bosomworth and his queen were now summoned to march into the 
city ; the Indian chiefs were also allowed to enter, but without their arms. 
On reaching the parade-ground, the thunder of fifteen cannon, fired at the 
same moment, told them what they might expect, should they persist in 
their hostile designs. The Indians were now marched to the house of the 
president of the council, in Savannah. Bosomworth was required to leave 
the Indians, while the president had a friendly talk with them. 

In his address to them, he assured them of the kindness of the English, 
and demanded what they meant by coming in this warlike manner. In 

10 



110 PERIOD II..— 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

8. The colony, for many reasons, did not flourish. In theil 
regulations for its management, the trustees enacted that all 
lands granted by them to settlers should revert back, in case of 
the failure of male succession ; although certain privileges were 
to be allowed to widows and daughters. At the same time, all 
trade with the Indians was prohibited, unless by virtue of special 
license. The use of negroes and the importation of rum were 
absolutely forbidden. In all this, the trustees were actuated by 
the purest motives, — by principles of humanity, and a regard to 
the health and morals of the inhabitants; — but the system of 
regulations was unfitted to the condition of the poor settlers, 
and was highly injurious to their increase and prosperity. 

reply, they told the president that they had heard that Mary was to be 
sent over the great waters, and they had come to learn why they were to 
lose their queen. Finding that the Indians had been deceived, and that 
Bosomworth was the author of all the trouble, and that he had even intended 
to get possession of the magazine, and to destroy the whites, the council 
directed him to be seized and thrown into prison. This step Mary resented 
with great spirit. Rushing forth among the Indians, she openly cursed 
Oglethorpe, although he had raised her from poverty, and declared that the 
whole world should know that the ground she tx*od upon was her own. 

The warlike spirit of the Indians being thus likely to be renewed, it was 
thought advisable to imprison Mary also. This was accordingly done. At 
the same time, to appease the Indians, a sumptuous feast was made for the 
chiefs by the president, who, during the be'tter state of feeling which 
seemed to prevail, took occasion to explain to them the wickedness of 
Bosomworth, and how, by falsehood and cunning, he had led them to 
believe that Mary was really their queen — a descendant of one of their 
great chiefs. "Brothers," said he, " this is not true; Queen Mary is no 
other than Mary Musgrove, whom I found poor, and who has been made 
the dupe of the artful Bosomworth, and you, brothers, the dupes of both." 

The aspect of things was now pleasant. The Indians were beginning to 
be satisfied of the villany of Bosomworth, and of the real character of 
Mary ; but, at this moment, the door was thrown open, and, to the surprise 
of all, Mary burst into the room. She had made her escape from prison, 
and, learning what was going on, she rushed forward, with the fury of a 
tigress. " Seize your arms ! " exclaimed she, " seize your arms ! remember 
your promise, and defend your queen ! " The sight of their queen seemed 
to bring back, in a moment, all the original ardor of the enterprise. In an 
instant, every chief seized his tomahawk, and sprang from the ground, to 
rally at the call of their queen. 

At this moment, Capt. Jones, who was present, perceiving the danger of 
the president and the other whites, drew his sword, and demanded peace. 
The majesty of his countenance, the fire of his eye, the glittering of his 
sword, told Queen Mary what she might expect, should she attempt to 
raise auy higher the feverish spirits of her subjects. The Indians cast an 
eye towards her, as if to inquire what they should do. Her countenance 
fell. Perceiving his advantage, Jones stepped forward, and, in the presence 
of the Indians, seized Mary, and conducted her back to prison. A short 
imprisonment so far humbled both Bosomworth and Mary, that each wrote 
a letter, confessing what they had done, and promising, if released that 
they would conduct with more propriety in future. 



JOHN WESLEY — GEORGE WHITEFIELD. Ill 

9. Emigrants, however, continued to arrive. The first adven- 
turers being poor and unenterprising, a more active and efficient 
race was desirable. To induce such to settle in the colony, eleven 
towns were laid out in shares of fifty acres each, one of which 
was offered to each new settler. Upon this, large numbers of 
Swiss, Scotch and Germans, became adventurers to the colony. 
Within three years from the first settlement, one thousand four 
hundred planters had arrived. To aid the colony, Parliament 
made several grants of money ; individuals also gave considerable 
sums for the same purpose. Owing, however, to the impolitic 
regulations of the trustees, the colony maintained only a feeble 
existence. 

10. When Oglethorpe had satisfactorily arranged the affairs 
of his little colony, he visited England, taking with him Tomo- 
chichi, his queen, and several other Indians. In 1736, he once 
more returned to Georgia, with a reinforcement of three hundred 
emigrants. He was accompanied by the celebrated John Wesley, 
who came on a mission, to preach to the colonists, and convert the 
Indians. But while he made some proselytes among the former, 
he made, it is said, more enemies. After a residence of two 
years, he returned to England, where he laid the foundation of 
that large and still growing denomination, the Methodists. 

11. Two years afterwards, he was succeeded by the famous 
George Whitefield. The object of this great man was to establish 
an orphan house in Georgia, where poor children might be prop- 
erly provided for, and instructed in the principles of religion. 
He often crossed the Atlantic, and both in England and America 
was the instrument of converting thousands. His orphan asylum 
did not flourish. At length he died, at Newburyport, Massachu- 
setts. 

12. In 1740, General Oglethorpe, having been appointed 
commander-in-chief of the forces of South Carolina and Georgia, 
projected an expedition against St. Augustine. Aided by 
Virginia and Carolina, he marched, at the head of more than 
two thousand men, for Florida ; and, after taking two small 
Spanish forts, Diego and Moosa, he sat down before St. Augus- 
tine. Captain Price, with several twenty-gun ships, assisted by 
sea ; but, after all their exertions, the general was forced to raise 
the siege, and return, with considerable loss. 

13. Two years after, 1742, the Spaniards invaded Georgia, in 
turn. A Spanish' armament, consisting of thirty-two sail, with 
three thousand men, under command of Don Manuel de Monteano, 
sailed from St. Augustine, and arrived in the river Altamaha. 
General Oglethorpe was, at this time, at Fort Simons. Finding 



112 PERIOD II. — 1G07— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

himself unable to retain possession of it, having but about seven 
hundred men, he spiked his cannon, and, destroying his military 
stores, retreated to his head-quarters at Frederica. On the first 
prospect of an invasion, General Oglethorpe had applied to the 
Governor of South Carolina for assistance ; but the Carolinians, 
fearing for the safety of their own territory, and not approving 
of General Oglethorpe's management in his late expedition 
against St. Augustine, declined furnishing troops, but voted sup- 
plies. 

14. In this state of danger and perplexity, the general resorted 
to stratagem. A French soldier belonging to his army had deserted 
to the enemy. Fearing the consequences of their learning his 
weakness, he devised a plan by which to destroy the credit of 
any information that the deserter might give. With this view, 
he wrote a letter to the French deserter in the Spanish camp, 
addressing him as if he were a spy of the English. This letter 
he bribed a Spanish captive to deliver, in which he directed the 
deserter to state to the Spaniards that he was in a weak and 
defenceless condition, and to urge them to an attack. 

15. Should he not be able, however, to persuade them to this, 
he wished him to induce them to continue three days longer at 
their quarters, in which time he expected two thousand men and 
six British men-of-war, from Carolina. The above letter, as 
was intended, was delivered to the Spanish general, instead of the 
deserter, who immediately put the latter in irons. A council of 
war was called, and, while deliberating upon the measures which 
should be taken, three supply-ships, which had been voted by 
Carolina, appeared in sight. Imagining these to be the men-of- 
war alluded to in the letter, the Spaniards, in great haste, fired 
the fort, and embarked, leaving behind them several cannon, and 
a quantity of provisions. By this artful but unjustifiable 
expedient, the country was relieved of its invaders, and Georgia, 
and probably a great part of South Carolina, saved from ruin. 

16. In 1743, Oglethorpe, the founder, friend and protector, of 
the colony, returned to England, to visit it no more. He left it 
in a state of tranquillity ; but it had never flourished. The 
emigrants were poor and inefficient. They were prohibited slave 
labor, and were cut off from a free title to the land they cultivated 
At length, the trustees finding the colony continue to languish, 
and wearied themselves with the complaints of the colonists, they 
surrendered their charter to the crown ; and from this time 
Georgia was and continued to be a royal province, till the Revolu 
tion, which unbound the fetters of all. 



CHARACTER OP THE EARLY COLONISTS. 113 



NOTES. 

1. The period of settlements, now reviewed, extending from 
1607 to 1756, embraces one hundred and forty-nine years ; dur- 
ing which fifteen colonies were planted in America, namely, 
Virginia, Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, Con- 
necticut, New Haven, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, 
Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina, 
and Georgia. 

2. Thirteen of these colonies were settled within a period of 
fifty-six years ; that is, between 1607, the date of the settlement 
of Virginia, and 1663, the commencement of the Carolinas. Dur- 
ing the next sixty-nine years, only one colony was planted, — that 
of Georgia, in 1732. 

3. But, of these colonies, Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay 
were early united, as were New Haven and Connecticut, — the one 
taking the name of Massachusetts, the other the name of Con- 
necticut.^ Thus, at the close of the period of settlements, there 
were thirteen colonies, the oldest of which was one hundred and 
forty-nine years, and the youngest twenty-four. 

4. The greater number of these colonies were settled by emi- 
grants from England : yet New York was first colonized by the 
Dutch; Maryland, by Roman Catholics; Pennsylvania, by 
Quakers ; Delaware, by Swedes and Finns ; while in others, and, 
indeed, in all, at length, were to be found representati ve$ from 
most of the European nations, especially the Germans, French 
and Scotch. 

5. The inhabitants of these several colonial settlements, there- 
fore, for many years, exhibited as great a variety as to character, 
religion, manners, customs, as the respective nations whence they 
emigrated. Yet the people of these communities, it is believed, 
lived in general in great peace and harmony among themselves ; 
— partly, it may have been, from necessity ; but, in greater part, 
from the kindly impulses of their nature. They had a common 
country, and now a common interest. 

Manners of the Colonists, Customs, Mode of Living, 
&c. — 1. In Virginia, the manners of the colonists were those 
of the less rigid English, rendered still more free and volup* *ious 
by the influence of a softer climate and a more prolific sul. 
Stith, indeed, says of the first settlers of this colony, that some 
emigrated " to escape a worse fate at home ; " and others, to repaii 

* The little colony founded at Saybrook in 1635 was united with Connecti 
rat in 1G44. 

10* 



114 PERIOD H. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

fortunes by emigration which had been ruined by excess. Bui 
many persons of high character were among the emigrants ; and 
amidst the licentiousness of the Virginia colony were found, at 
the close of this period, a good deal of that frankness, hospitality, 
taste and refinement, which distinguish the people of the south 
at this day. 

2. Beverly says, " that they were so courteous to travellers as 
to need no other recommendation but their being human beings ; 
and that the poor planters who had only one bed would often sit 
up, or lie upon a form or couch, all night, to make room for a 
weary traveller to repose himself after his journey." 

3. Most of the earliest emigrants to Virginia were in humble 
circumstances, and were single men ; or, if they had wives, they 
left them for a time at home, fearing the dangers of a long voyage 
and a new climate. When, at length, the colonists were in some 
measure established, there was a great dearth of women for wives ; 
one hundred and fifty were sent over at one time. Those who 
carried over good testimonials as to character soon found husbands ; 
and Beverly says, nothing was more common than for a man " to 
buy a deserving wife at the price of one hundred pounds, and 
then to think he had a bargain." 

4. The Virginians never suffered from want, as did some of the 
northern colonists. Their climate was milder, and the soil far 
more fertile. Indeed, living was often too cheap for good morals or 
manners. An early writer says he remembered the time when five 
pounds, left by a charitable testator to the poor of the parish he 
lived in, lay nine years before the executors could find one poor 
enough to accept the legacy ; but, at last, it was given to an old 
woman. In those days, the disabled from accident or sickness 
were kept at the public charge at some " charitable planter's 
house." 

5. The habitations of the first settlers were, of course, only 
rude dwellings ; but, as years passed, great improvement took 
place in the style and comfort of building. Before the close 
of the period, many houses, spacious, airy and commodious, were 
erected of brick. The governor's house is spoken of as having 
been ■ very beautiful." 

?, The Virginians, from the earliest settlement of the colony, 
J^ved good living ; and they had the means of indulging their 
taste. Their beef and mutton were not equal to those of Eng- 
land. But it was good, and cheap, seldom commanding more 
than one or two pence per pound. Beverly puts down the 
price of some articles, which shows the reason why there were 
so many " lazy" among the colonists. It cdst nothing to live 



MANNERS OF THE ENGLISH COLONISTS. 115 

" Largest Poulets," six pence ; capons, eight pence ; chickens, 
three or four shillings a dozen ; turkeys, fifteen pence ; deer, 
five to ten shillings. " Bread," he adds, " in gentlemen's 
houses, is generally made of wheat ; but the poorer sort of 
people greatly prefer pone, or oppone, the Indian name for 
hominy." 

7. The clothing of the colonists was nearly all procured from 
England, although they had the materials, or might have had 
them, near home. A writer says of their sheep, " that they 
sheared them only to cool them ;" and, " that, to the eternal 
reproach of their laziness," they imported even their " bowls and 
birchen brooms." But it is to be remembered that when, at 
length, they would have manufactured many necessary articles, 
they were forbidden by the government in England. 

8. Among the New England colonies, there existed much 
that was quite in contrast with what we have recorded of the 
Virginians. They were more strict in their notions, and conse- 
quently more rigid in their manners. If they had no greater 
faith in the Scriptures, they moulded their government and 
shaped private character and morals upon a more severe and 
literal construction of them. They had not the means of 
external show, or sumptuous living, as had their southern breth- 
ren ; — they did not covet them. They studied simplicity of 
manners, taste, living. Yet they were patriotic, industrious, 
and public-spirited ; and, though of a grave and reflecting exte- 
rior, they often showed that shrewd inquisitiveness, and keen 
relish of a jest, which are still characteristic of the New Eng- 
enders. 

9. The laws of the colonies throw great light on the views 
and manners of the people of that age. Take several laws of the 
Massachusetts Colony : one, in 1689, prohibiting the drinking 
of healths ; another, in 1651, prohibiting " persons whose estate 
did not exceed two hundred pounds wearing gold or silver lace, 
or any bone lace above two shillings per yard ;" and requiring 
the selectmen to take notice of the " apparel " of the people, 
especially their " ribbands and great boots." And one Mr. 
Josias Plaistowe, for stealing corn from the Indians, was to 
be called only Josias, and not Mr., as formerly. Sergeant 
Perkins was doomed to carry forty turfs to the fort for being 
drunk ; and Robert Shorthose, for swearing in a certain man- 
ner, was sentenced to have his tongue put into a cleft stick, and 
to stand so for the space of half an hour, — a punishment it were 
Well if all profane swearers were subject to in these days. 

10. The laws and regulations of the town of Hartford and of 



116 PERIOD n. — lG07— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

the colony of Connecticut show a similar watchfulness ovei 
the interests, manners and morals, of the community. In 1635, 
it was ordered by the town that every religious meeting should 
be guarded by a certain number of men, well armed with guns 
and powder and ball. Every freeman who neglected to attend 
town-meeting was fined sixpence, unless he had a good excuse. 
Boys playing in the time of public services, whether in the house 
or outside, were to be punished publicly before the assembly. 
And, in 1643, it was ordered that the watch should ring a bell 
every morning, before daybreak, passing through the street from 
Master Moodey's (Wyllys Hill) to John Pratt's ; and that at 
least one person should be up within one quarter of an hour 
after, in every house. 

11. In 1647, the colony of Connecticut ordered that no per- 
son under twenty years of age should use any tobacco, without a 
certificate from a physician ; and no others, although addicted to 
its use, unless they were ten miles from any house, and then not 
more than once a day. And this regulation was made while the 
Virginians were raising all the tobacco they were able, deriving 
a revenue from it for the support of government, and paying 
their ministers with it for preaching, and attending funerals, and 
solemnizing marriages. 

12. The laws and regulations of the colony of New Haven 
were of a similar minute and vigilant tenor. In 1639, the col- 
ony resolved that they would be governed by the rules of the 
Scriptures ; and that church-members only should, act in the 
civil affairs of the plantation. In the same year it was ordered 
that one Broomfield should be set in the stocks for profaning the 
Lord's day, and stealing wine from his master, which he drank 
and gave to others. Persons were often whipped and dismissed 
from the plantation for being disorderly ; or set in the stocks, or 
imprisoned, for misdemeanors or personal differences, which, at 
the present day, would attract no attention, or which would be 
left to be settled by the parties themselves. 

13. These matters are sometimes referred to, in these days, by 
way of reproaching our ancestors, as being puritanic, over-scru- 
pulous and austere. But there is little just cause for the censure. 
Most of them were eminent for their piety, wisdom, and love of 
order. At first, they had no written code of laws, and, there- 
fore, were compelled to consider grievances as they occurred, 
each one to be decided upon as the case then presented itself; 
and the history of these transactions went on to the public 
records in the quaint and simple laaguage of the day. There 
they still exist, food for the captious and the sarcastic ; but evi« 



MANNERS OF THE DUTCH. 117 

dence, while the world shall last, of the paternal character of 
the ministry and magistracy of those earlier days, and theii 
strenuous efforts to order themselves and the community accord- 
ing to the dictates of religion and a good conscience. 

14. In the colony of New York, the manners of the colo- 
nists, until the conquest by the English in 1664, were strictly 
Dutch, — the same steadfast pursuit of wealth, the same plod- 
ding industry, the same dress, air and physiognomy, which are 
given as characteristic of Holland, were equally characteristics 
of the inhabitants of New Amsterdam. After the English 
became the owners of the territory, the manners of the Dutch 
were more or less modified by intercourse with them ; but they 
did not blend readily, and the differences were long to be 
observed^ 

15. The manners and customs of the Dutch were, doubtless, 
as singular and laughable as those of the New England colonies. 
The gable-end of their houses invariably faced on the street. They 
had lawfge doors and small windows on every floor. The date of 
their erection was curiously designated by iron figures on the 
front, and on the top of the roof was a fine-looking little weather- 
vane. 

16. The family always entered the ga'A and most generally 
lived in the kitchen. The front door was never opened, except 
on special occasions, such as a marriage, a funeral, or a New 
Year's day. The grand parlor was, of course, washed and sanded 
once a week, even if no one had stepped into it during the week. 
The sand on the floor was stroked into angles, and curves, and 
other figures, with the broom. 

17. In the kitchen, near the chimney, the old burgher would 
bit for hours in perfect silence, puffing his pipe, and looking into 
the fire with half-shut eyes, thinking of nothing on earth; while 
his " goede vrowe," on the opposite side, would sew, or knit, or 
mend stockings ; the young folks, meanwhile, listening to^some old 
crone of a negro, who would entertain them with stories about 
New England witches, ghosts, and such like. 

18. A well-regulated family always rose at day-break, dined 
at eleven, and went to bed about sun-down. At tea-parties, 
they commonly assembled at three o'clock in the afternoon, and 
returned at six. The tea-table was crowned with a huge earthen 
dish, well stored with slices of fat pork, cut up into morsels, and 
swimming in fat. Sometimes the table was graced with im- 
mense apple-pies, or saucers full of preserved peaches. Dough* 
nuts, or " oly koeks" were seldom forgotten. Such is the humor* 



118 PERIOD II. — 1607—1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

dus, and jet, for the most part, truthful account of the Dutch in 
New York, furnished by one of their own writers.^ 

19. These peculiarities are observable, to some extent, in 
Butch settlements, even to the present time. Within the 
remembrance of the author, the following occurrence took place. 
He was seated at the tea-table, while on a visit at a fine old 
Dutch gentleman's, when the mistress of ceremonies said to him, 
"Sir, do you stir or bite?" " Stir or bite ! Madam, pardon me, 
I do not understand you." " 0," she replied, smiling, " some 
persons prefer to stir the sugar in the tea ; others, to bite the 
sugar and sip the tea." Upon this, the old burgher remarked, 
that this was nndern curtom, but that at an earlier day the 
practice was to suspend a large lump of sugar directly over the 
tea-table, by a string from the ceiling, so that it could be swung 
round from mouth to mouth. 

20. In other colonies peculiarities might be noticed, as those 
of the Finns in Delaware, the Roman Catholics in Maryland, and 
the Quakers in Pennsylvania ; but, before the close of the period, 
the peculiarities of the several classes became less distinct by 
intercourse with the others, and every succeeding generation 
seemed to exhibit less strikingly those traits which distinguished 
the preceding. The elegant varieties of life were more tolerated, 
and the refinements of polished society appeared among the 
higher classes. 

Religion. — 1. The colony of Virginia, from its earliest 
existence, was exclusively devoted to the Church of England ; 
though, for several years, its unsettled state prevented that 
attention to a religiou s establishment which afterwards the sub' 
ject received. 

2. In 1621, the Virginia Company ordered a hundred acres 
of land, in each of the boroughs, and two hundred pounds ster- 
ling, to be raised, as a standing and certain revenue, out of the 
profits o& each parish, to make a living. This stipend was thus 
settled : — That the minister shall receive, yearly, five hundred 
pounds of tobacco, and sixteen barrels of corn, which were col- 
lectively estimated at two hundred pounds sterling. In 1642, 
the assembly passed a law, prohibiting all, but those who had 
been ordained by English bishops, from preaching. 

3. In 1650, during the time of Governor Berkley, the reli 
gion of the Church of England was confirmed, and provision made 
for the support of the ministers. The maintenance of a minister 
Was put at sixteen thousand pounds of tobacco, which, as valued 



* Knickerbocker's New York. 



CURIOUS MODE OF PAYING SALAMES. 119 

at that time, at ten shillings per hundred, was about eighty 
pounds sterling. But, in addition, he had a dwelling-house and 
glebe ; also, four hundred pounds of tobacco, or forty shillings, 
for a funeral sermon, and two hundred pounds of tobacco, or 
twenty shillings, for performing marriage by license, or five shil- 
lings when the banns were proclaimed. The tobacco destined 
for the minister was brought to him well packed, in hogsheads, 
prepared for shipping. r 

4. The special object of the New England planters, in settling 
the country, was the enjoyment of their religious opinions, and 
the free exercise of religious worship, without molestation. 
Early attention was, therefore, paid to the gathering of churches, 
and the regulation of religion. They were Calvinists in doctrine, 
and Congregational in discipline. Each church maintained its 
right to govern itself. They held to the validity of Presbyterian 
ordination, and the expediency of synods on great occasions. 
From the commencement, they used ecclesiastical councils, con- 
voked by particular churches, for advice, but not for the judicial 
determination of controversies. In each of the churches, there 
were a pastor, teacher, ruling elder, and deacons. The pastor's 
office consisted principally in exhortation ; upon the teacher 
devolved the business of explaining and defending the doctrines 
of Christianity. The business of the ruling elder was to assist 
the pastor in the government of the church. 

5. Early provision was made for the support of the ministry. 
On the arrival of the colonists of Massachusetts Bay at Charles- 
town, before landing, a court of assistants was held, and the first 
question proposed was, How shall the ministers be maintained ? 
The court ordered that houses be built, and salaries be raised for 
them, at the public charge. Their two ministers, Mr. Phillips 
and Mr. Wilson, were granted a salary, — the former thirty 
pounds per annum, and the latter twenty pounds, until the 
arrival of his wife. After the settlement of the several colonies, 
all persons were obliged by law to contribute to the support of 
the church. Special care was taken that all persons should 
attend public worship. In Connecticut, the law obliged them to 
be present on the Lord's day, — on,all days of public thanksgiv- 
ing, appointed by civil authority, — on penalty of five shillings 
for every instance of neglect. 

6. In 1637, the first synod convened in America sat at New- 
town, Massachusetts, and was composed of all the teaching elders 
in the country, and messengers of the several churches. Magis- 
trates, also, were present, and spoke as they thought fit. Tha 
abject of calling this synod was to inquire into the opinions of 



120 PERIOD II. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

that very extraordinary woman, Anne Hutchinson, who held 
public lectures in Boston, and taught doctrines considered hereti- 
cal. The whole colony was agitated, and divided into parties. 
The synod, after a session of three weeks, condemned eighty-two 
erroneous opinions, winch had become disseminated in New Eng- 
land. 

7. The Dutch Reformed Churcii was introduced into New 
York with the first settlers, and was generally embraced by the 
Dutch population of that colony. The first church was erected, 
within the fort, in 1642. It was seventy-two feet long, and fifty- 
two broad, and cost about two thousand dollars, to be paid for " in 
beaver, cash, or merchandise." It was covered with " slate, split 
of oak wood," — that is, with oak shingles, which, by rain and 
wind, soon resembled slate. To this church the town-bell was 
removed, where it was rung to tell when to retire, when to leave 
off work, and when to stop selling " ardent liquor," &nd when 
to send home people from the taverns. This was at nine o'clock 
in the evening. 

8. The Roman Catholics first came to America in 1632. 
They settled in Maryland, and now constitute a respectable and 
numerous portion of the inhabitants of that state. The first 
Baptist Church in America was formed at Providence, in 1689, 
under the celebrated Roger Williams. Their sentiments spread- 
ing into Massachusetts, in 1651, the General Court passed a law 
against them, inflicting banishment for persisting in the promul- 
gation of their doctrines. 

9. In 1656, the Quakers making their appearance in Massa- 
chusetts, the Legislature of that colony passed severe laws against 
them. No master of a vessel was allowed to bring any one of 
this sect into its jurisdiction, on penalty of one hundred pounds. 
Other still severer penalties were inflicted upon them in 1657, 
such as cutting their ears, and boring their tongues with a hot 
iron, &c. They were at length banished, on pain of death ; and, 
for refusing to go, were executed, in 1659. Without intending 
to justify these severities toward the Baptists, .Quakers, and 
other sectaries, it is still proper to state, as some apology for 
them, that the conduct of £he leaders of these sects was often 
calculated, and no doubt designed, to provoke persecution. 
They sought improper occasions to inculcate their peculiar tenets, 
departed unnecessarily from the decencies of social intercourse, 
and rudely inveighed against established and cherished opinions. 
In this way, the peace of the colonies was disturbed, and that 
unanimity of religious sentiment which had hitherto existed 
Was broken. Our forefathers sought to avert these evils by the 



TRADE AND COMMERCE. 121 

arm of civil power, not yet having learnt that persecution is a 
ready way to propagate the sentiments of the persecuted. 

10. In the year 1646, a synod met at Cambridge, which, by 
adjournment, protracted its session to 1648, when it dissolved. 
This synod composed and adopted the " Cambridge Platform,' 
and recommended it, together with the Westminster Confession 
of Faith, to the General Court and to the churches. In this 
synod were present the ministers and churches of Connecticut 
and New Haven, who united in the form of discipline which it 
recommended. This, in connection with the ecclesiastical laws, 
was the religious constitution of Connecticut, until the compila- 
tion of the Saybrook Platform, a period of about sixty years. 

11. In 1681, Penn began to colonize Pennsylvania, Being 
himself a Quaker, he followed the views and tenets of that sect 
in many of his regulations, especially in prohibiting an appeal to 
arms. Quaker worship was instituted, with all the peculiarities 
which distinguish that sect ; yet it was a fundamental principle 
of Penn, that no one acknowledging his belief in one God, and 
living peaceably in society, should be molested for his opinions or 
practices. Episcopacy was introduced into New York in 1693 ; 
into New Jersey and Rhode Island, in 1702 ; into South Caro- 
lina, in 1703, by law ; in Connecticut, in 1704. 

12. In 1708, the Saybrook Platform was formed by a synod 
composed of Congregational ministers, under authority of the 
Legislature of Connecticut. About the year 1737, a revival of 
religion very extensively prevailed in New England. At this 
time, great numbers united themselves to the church, and testi- 
fied, by their conduct through life, the genuineness of their pro- 
fession. The celebrated Whitefield came to America about the 
year 1740, and produced great religious excitement by his sin- 
gular powers of pulpit eloquence. He did not found any pe- 
culiar sect in this country, although he gave rise to that of the 
Calvinistic Methodists in England. 

13. It may be remarked, in conclusion, that, as years revolved, 
and the various religious sects became more established, religious 
bigotry and intolerance abated ; and before the close of the 
period religious persecution had ceased in all the colonies, and 
the rights of conscience were generally recognized. 

Trade and Commerce. — 1. At first the colonies had but 
little trade with any nation, except England, and even that was 
on a limited scale. They imported all their merchandise, and 
made such returns as they were able in tobacco, peltry, and, 
after a time, in beef, pork, grain, and fish. 

2. During the first thirty years of the colony of Virginia, their 
11 



122 PERIOD H. — 1607—1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

exports were confined to tobacco. But the price of it fell, at 
length, from three shillings and sixpence per pound, to twenty 
shillings per hundred ; in consequence of which, a trade was 
opened with the frontier Indians and the Five Nationa The 
fikins of the deer, elk and buffalo, and the furs of the otter, hare, 
fox, muskrat and beaver, were procured for rum, hutch 
blankets, &c. These skins and furs were exported to England. 
English grain and Indian corn were also exported to a consider- 
able extent. Although the Virginians owned a few vessels, the 
greater part of the trade was carried on by English vessels, dur- 
ing this period. They brought to the colony English manufac- 
tures, and took tobacco, furs, .skins, grain, tar, pitch, &c, in 
return. The Virginians also carried on some trade with Canada. 
The principal article of export from New England, during thw 
period, was peltry, which was procured of the Indiana for goods of 
small value. In 1639, a fishing trade was begun at Cape Ann ; 
and in 1641, three hundred thousand codfish were sent to market. 

3. The first vessel directly from the West Indies was a Dutch 
ship of one hundred and sixty tons, which arrived at Marblehead, 
1635. The first American vessel that made a voyage to the 
West Indies was a pinnace of thirty tons, in 1636. The ship 
Desire, of Salem, made a voyage, in 1638, to New Providence 
and Tortuga, and returned laden with cotton, tobacco, salt, and 

roes. This was the first introduction of African slaves into 
New England. The first importation of indigo and sugar from 
the West Indies, mentioned in our accounts, was made in 1639. 
In 1642, a Dutch ship exchanged a cargo of salt for plank and 
pipe-staves, the first exports of lumber from New England. Thi 
next year, eleven ships sailed for the West Indies with lumbe? 

4. But at length, as the population and enterprise of the 
colonies increased, they desired to more in trade and 
commerce. This, however, began to excite the jealousy of tne 
mother country, and laws were at various times passed by Par- 
liament. I to keep them in safe subjection to England, 
and nt upon her. Hats we i [ported; 
mills for slitting and rolling iron irere fi I ; and they were 

dred to procure articles id England which they could b 
1 twenty per cent, cheaper in But, not- 

withstanding those restrictions, trade and coin, .adually 

. lily increased. To England the colonies exported lumber 
of all sorts, hemp, flax, pitch, tar, oil, r per ore, pig and 

bar iron, whale-fins, tobacco, rice, fish, indigo, flax-seed, beeswax, 
raw silk, &c. They also built manj ..-. which were sold in 

the mother country. 



AGRICULTURE. 123 

5. But the importation of goods from England, in consequence 
af the restrictive policy of the British government, was all along 
in excess of the colonial efforts, and a balance was yearly to be 
provided for. How was it done ? By gold and silver, obtained 
chiefly from the West India settlements, to which they exported 
lumber, fish of an inferior quality, beef, pork, butter, horses, 
poultry and other live stock, an inferior kind of tobacco, corn 
cider, apples, cabbages, onions, &c. They built also many small 
vessels, which found a ready market. The cod and whale fish- 
eries were becoming considerable ; they were principally carried 
on by New England. The codfish were sold in Spain, France, 
England, the West Indies, &c. ; and the money obtained for 
them aided the colonies in paying the balance of trade against 
them in England. „ 

Agriculture. — 1. Early attention was paid to agriculture. 
The first business of the settlers was to clear the forests, and 
supply themselves with food from the soil. But the fertility of 
the earth taught them soon to look to agriculture as a source of 
wealth, as well as of subsistence. It, therefore, became the 
leading object of industry in the colonies. The method adopted 
by the first settlers to clear the land was slow and laborious, 
compared with the present modes. They used generally to cut 
down the trees, and dig up the stumps, before tillage. Tobacco 
was early cultivated in Virginia, and soon began to be exported. 
The year after the colony landed, the people gc^heved corn of 
their own planting, the seed of which they received of tne ^ ^ians. 
Vineyards were attempted, and experienced vine-dressers wero 
sent over for the purpose of attending them. Flax, hemp, barle} r , 
&c, were cultivated to a considerable extent. Bye was first 
raised in Massachusetts in 1633. Ploughs were early introduced 
into the country. 

2. Neat cattle were first introduced into New England by Mr. 
Winslow, in 1624. In 1629, one hundred and forty head of 
cattle, with horses, sheep and goats, were imported into Massa- 
chusetts Bay. In a few years, they became so numerous as to 
supply all the wants of the inhabitants. In 1623, the cattle in 
Virginia had increased to above one thousand head. New York 
raised considerable beef and pork for exportation, and in 1678 
there were exported from the province sixty thousand bushels of 
wheat. From this time, agriculture continued to receive more 
and more attention. As other colonies were settled, immense 
forests were cleared, and more enlightened modes of husbandry 
were introduced. Before the close of the period, the colonies not 
only raised a sufficient supply of food for their own use, but their 



124 PERIOD II. — 1607—1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

exports became great. Wheat and other English grain were the 
principal products of the middle colonies ; grain, beef, pork, horses, 
butter, cheese, &c, were the chief products of the northern colo- 
nies ; tobacco, wheat and rice, were the principal products of the 
south. In the south, also, large numbers of swine ran wild in 
the forests, living upon mast. These were taken, salted down, 
and exported to a considerable extent. 

Arts and Manufactures. — 1. The colonists, at first, being 
chiefly occupied in gaining a subsistence, and, in protecting them- 
selves against their enemies, had occasion for few articles beyond 
the necessaries and comforts of life. Arts and manufactures, 
therefore, received but little encouragement, beyond the construc- 
tion of such articles, and even those were principally imported. 

2. In 1620, one hundred and fifty persons arrived in Virginia, 
from England, for the purpose of manufacturing silk, iron, pot- 
ash, tar, pitch, glass, salt, &c. ; but they did not succeed. In 
1673, Chalmers says of New England, " There be five iron works, 
which cast no guns ; no house in New England has above twenty 
rooms ; not twenty in Boston have ten rooms each ; a dancing- 
school was set up here, but put down ; a fencing-school is allowed. 
There be no musicians by trade. All cordage, sail-cloth and 
mats, come from England ; no cloth made there worth four shil- 
lings per yard; no alum, no copperas, no salt, made by their 
sun." 

3. The first buildings of the settlers were made of logs and 
thatched, or were built of stone. Brick and framed houses were 
soon built in the larger towns, and afterwards in the villages. The 
frames and brick were, however, in some instances, imported. 
The first mill in New England was a wind-mill, near Water- 
town ; but it was taken down in 1632, and placed in the vicinity 
of Boston. Water-mills began to be erected the next year. The 
first attempt to build a water-craft in New England was at Plym- 
outh, in 1626. A house-carpenter sawed their largest boat into 
two parts, and lengthened it five or six feet, built a deck, and 
rigged it into a convenient vessel, which did service for seven 
years. The first vessel built in Massachusetts was a bark, in 
1631, called The Blessing of the Bay. In 1633, a ship of 
sixty tons was built at Medford. In 1636, one of one hundred 
and twenty tons was built at Marblehead. In 1641, a ship of 
three hundred tons was launched at Salem, and one of one hun- 
dred and sixty tons at" Boston. From this time, ship-building 
rapidly extended in the northern colonies. 

4. The first printing in New England was executed in 1639, 
by one Day. The proprietor of the press was a clergyman, by 



POPULATION. 125 

the name of Glover, who died on his passage to America. The 
first; article printed was the Freeman's Oath, the second an alma- 
nac, and the third an edition of the Psalms. John Eliot, the 
celebrated missionary, having translated the Bible into the Indian 
language, had it printed at Cambridge, in 1664. The mode of 
travelling considerable distances was on foot, or on horseback, 
there being no carriages for that purpose, and the roads from one 
village to another being only narrow foot-paths, through forests. 

5. Before the close of the period, notwithstanding the obsta~ 
cles interposed by Great Britain to the arts and manufactures in 
the colonies, they made some progress. The coarser kinds of 
cutlery, some coarse cloths, both linen and woollen, hats, paper, 
shoes, household furniture, farming utensils, &c, were manu- 
factured to a considerable extent ; not sufficient, however, to sup- 
ply the inhabitants. All these manufactures were on a small 
scale. Cloths were made, in some families, for their own con- 
sumption. 

6. The art of printing made considerable progress during this 
period. A newspaper, the first in North America, called " The 
Boston Weekly News-Letter," was established in 1704. Before 
the close of this period, ten others were established, — four in 
New England, two in New York, two in Pennsylvania, one in 
South Carolina, and one in Maryland. The number of books 
published was also considerable, although they were executed in 
a coarse style, and were generally books of devotion, or for the 
purposes of education. 

Population. — 1. The population of the English American 
polonies, in 1701, was estimated by Dr. Humphreys as follows: 



Massachusetts, 70,000 

Connecticut, 30,000 

Rhode Island, 10,000 

New Hampshire, .... 10,000 



New England, 120,000 

Mid. and S. Colonies, . . 142,000 

Total, 202,000 



New York, 30,000 

The Jerseys, 15,000 

Pennsylvania, 20,000 

Maryland, 25,000 

Virginia, 40,000 

North Carolina, 5,000 

South Carolina, 7,000 

142,000 



2. In 1755, the close of the period, the estimate was this 

New Hampshire, .... 30,000 
Massachusetts Bay, . . . 220,000 
Rhode Island and Provi- > „- nnn 
dence Plantations, 5 di) ' UUU 
Connecticut, 100,000 



New England, 385,000 

Mid. and S. Colonies, . . 661,000 



Total, 1,046,000 

11* 



New York, 100,000 

The Jerseys, 60,000 

Pennsylvania, 250,000 

Maryland, 85,000 

Virginia, 85,000 

North Carolina, 45,000 

South Carolina, 30,000 

Georgia, 6,000 

661,000 



126 PERIOD H. — 1607— 1756. — SETTLEMENTS 

According to Dr. Franklin, not more than eighty thousand of 
these were foreigners ; the rest were American born. Emigration 
therefore, had nearly ceased. 

Education. — 1. Scarcely had the American colonists opened 
the forests, and constructed habitations, before they directed their 
attention to the object of education. Moneys were collected for 
the establishment of a college at Henrico, for the education of 
Indian children ; and about the same time, the Virginia Company 
appropriated ten thousand acres of land for the same purpose, 
and also for the foundation of a seminary for English scholars. 
In 1621, a school was endowed at Charles City for the benefit 
of all the colony. As they did not flourish, in 1692 their funds 
were given to William and Mary's College. 

2. Still more attentive to education were the northern colo- 
nies. In 1636, a General Court of Massachusetts Bay appropri- 
ated the sum of four hundred pounds towards the commencement 
of a college. In 1637, the college was located at Newtown, 
which, not long after, was called Cambridge, in memory of Cam- 
bridge, in England, where many of the colonists had received 
their education. Mr. John Harvard, a worthy minister, dying 
at Charlestown, about this time, bequeathed nearly eight hundred 
pounds to the college ; in consideration of which legacy, it was 
called after him. In 1642 was held the first commencement, at 
which nine were graduated. To this institution the plantations 
of Connecticut and New Haven contributed funds from the 
public purse ; and for a time sent to it such of their youth as 
they wished to be educated. Private subscriptions were also 
made from the United Colonies, to aid the institution. 

3. Great attention was also paid, by all the colonies, to the 
subject of common schools. As a specimen of the arrangements 
common to the New England colonies, we may notice those of 
Connecticut. By her first code, in 1639, only six years from 
the time the first house was erected within the colony, it was 
ordered that every town consisting of fifty families should main- 
tain a good school, in which reading and writing should be well 
taught, and that in every county-town a good grammar-school 
should be instituted. Large tracts of land were appropriated by 
the Legislature as a permanent support of these schools, and the 
selectmen of every town were required to see that all heads of 
families instructed their children and servants to read the Eng- 
lish tongue well. 

4. Yale College, in Connecticut, was commenced in 1700, 
eleven of the principal ministers in the neighboring towns, who 
had been appointed to adopt such measures as they should deem 



REFLECTIONS. 127 

expedient on the subject of a college, agreeing to found one in 
the colony. The next year, the Legislature granted them a char- 
ter. The college was begun at Saybrook, where was held the 
first commencement, in 1702. In 1717, it was removed to New 
Haven, where it became permanently established. It was named 
after the Honorable Elihu Yale, Governor of the East India 
Company, who was its principal benefactor. The college at 
Princeton, New Jersey, called " Nassau Hall," was first founded 
by charter from John Hamilton, Esq., President of the Council, 
about the year 1738, and was enlarged by Governor Belcher, in 
1747. 

5. In respect to colonies settled at a later period, some atten- 
tion was paid to the education of children and youth ; but far 
less than their true interests demanded, and less than would have 
been done, had they more fully appreciated the blessings of 
learning. 

Reflections. — 1. At the commencement of this period, our 
history presented us with a continent over whose surface an inter- 
minable wilderness had for ages cast its deep and solemn shade. 
If we approach the shore, and look through the gloom that 
gathers over it, the scenes which strike the eye are Indians at 
their war-dance, or, perhaps, flames curling round some expiring 
captive, or wild beasts mangling their prey. Passing from this 
point of time to the close of our period, the prospect is greatly 
changed. We now see smiling fields and cheerful villages, in 
the place of dismal forests ; instead of beasts of prey, we see 
grazing herds ; instead of the kindling fagot, we witness the wor- 
ship of Jesus Christ ; and instead of the appalling war-whoop, we 
listen to the grateful songs of David. In the beautiful words 
of Scripture, the wilderness has begun to blossom as the rose, and 
the desert is becoming vocal with the praises of God. 

2. And how is it that so wonderful a change has been brought 
to pass ? The answer is easy. Our fathers were men of extraor- 
dinary energy, wisdom, enterprise, and hardihood. Yet, what 
then ? Without the smiles and constant influence of a benign 
Providence working in their favor, and mysteriously establishing 
their strength and security, they had never accomplished such 
wonders, especially when exercised for years with trial, danger, 
and misfortune. 

3. Look at them. Through cold and storm, through sick- 
ness and famine, many of them for years made their way; 
and then they are visited by cruel and desolating wars, in which 
they bear the burdens of the mother country ; — they fight her 
battles, sustain her oppressions ; and yet they advance in popu* 



128 PERIOD H. — 1607—1756. — SETTLEMENTS. 

lation, extend their commerce, enlarge their boundaries, and lay 
wider and deeper the foundations of a future nation. 

4. And, while we look back, with admiration, upon the hsrdy 
Epirit which carried our ancestors through scenes so trying, and 
enabled them to reap prosperity from the crimsoned fields of bat- 
tle and bloodshed, let us be thankful that our lot is cast in a 
happier day; and that, instead of sharing in the perils of feeble 
colonies, we enjoy the protection and privileges of a free and 
powerful nation. 

5. In addition to the reflection subjoined to the account which 
we have given of the " Salem witchcraft," we may add another, 
respecting the danger of popular delusion. In that portion of 
our history, we see a kind of madness rising up, and soon stretch- 
ing its influence over a whole community. And such, too, is the 
pervading power of the spell, that the wise and ignorant, the 
good and bad, are alike subject to its control, and, for the time 
alike incapable of judging or reasoning aright. Now, when- 
ever we see a community divided into parties, and agitated by 
some general excitement, — when we feel ourselves borne along, 
on one side or the other, by the popular tide, — let us inquire 
whether we are not acting under the influence of a delusion 
which a few years — perhaps a few months, or days — may dis- 
pel and expose. Nor, at such a time, let us regard our sincerity, 
or our consciousness of integrity, or the seeming clearness and 
certainty of our reasonings, as furnishing an absolute assurance 
that, after all, we do not mistake, and that our opponents are not 
right. 

6. Another reflection, of some importance, and one that may 
serve to guard us against censuring too severely the wise and 
good, is suggested by this account of the " Salem witchcraft." 
It is this, — that the best men are liable to err. We should not, 
therefore, condemn, nor should we withhold our charity from, 
those who fall into occasional error, provided their characters 
are, in other respects, such as to lay claim to our good opinion 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD III. 

DISTINGUISHED FOR THE FRENCH AND INDIAN 

WAR. 

EXTENDING FROM THE DECLARATION OF WAR BY ENG 
LAND AGAINST FRANCE, 1756, TO THE COMMENCEMENT 
OF HOSTILITIES BY GREAT BRITAIN AGAINST THE AMER- 
ICAN COLONIES, IN THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON, 1775. 

1. Up to the opening of this period, the history of the several 
colonies has properly been kept distinct. From this date for- 
ward, they are to act more or less together : and, consequently, 
their history blends. 

2. For years, however, that history is little more than a costly 
and sanguinary struggle with French and Indians, in which they 
become involved by reason of their connection with the mother 
country, who declares war against France ; and her American 
colonies must sustain her in it on this side the water, as they 
had done in her previous contests, to the loss of thousands of 
their citizens, and the great impoverishment of their treasuries. 
The colonies had now. enjoyed peace but about eight years,* 

* The treaty of Aix la Chapelle was negotiated in 1748 (see p. G7), and 
terminated a war, which, though it lasted but a few years, involved the New 
England colonies and New York in an expense of not less than a million 
pounds sterling. Massachusetts alone is said to have paid half this sum, 
and to have expended nearly four hundred thousand pounds in the expedi- 
tion against Cape Breton. The expenses of Carolina, for the war in that 
quarter, were not less in proportion. 

To supply the deficiency of money, bills of credit were issued to the 
amount of several millions. The bills issued by Massachusetts, during two 
or three years of the war, amounted to between two and three millions cur- 
rency ; while, at the time of their emission, five or six hundred pounds were 
equal to one hundred pounds sterling. Before the complete redemption of 
these bills, says Dr. Trumbull, in those colonies where their credit was best 
supported, the depreciation was nearly twenty for one. 



1754. 



1755. I 



130 PERIOD III. — 1756— 1775.— F. AND INDIAN WAR. 

tthen, on the 17th of May, 1756, England made formal declara- 
tion of war against France, which was reciprocated by the lattei 
power, June 9 th. 

3. In narrating the principal events of the French and Indian 
War, we shall have occasion to notice : 

" The causes which led to it ; 
The circumstances which opened it ; 
* The expedition of Washington against Fort du Quesne • 
Albany plan of union between the colonies. 

' Conquest of Nova Scotia ; 
Defeat of General Braddock ; 
Battle of Lake G-eorge ; 
k Expedition against Niagara. 

( Formal declaration of war by England against France ; 
1756. ) Failure of expeditions against Niagara and Crown Point; 

( Fall of Fort Oswego. 
nyjfitj \ Attempted reduction of Louisburg ; 
17D7 * \ Loss of Fort William Henry. 
( Reduction of Louisburg ; 
Failure of expedition against Ticonderoga ; 
1758. -J Capture of Fort Frontenac ; 

Occupation of Fort du Quesne ; 
^ Treaty with Mohawks, Senecas, &c. 

{Surrender of Ticonderoga ; 
" Crown Point ; 
" Niagara; 
Siege and capture of Quebec 

' Battle of Sillsery ; 
French siege of Quebec ; 
Surrender of Montreal ; 
And the rest of Canada. 

1763. Treaty of peace. 

4. The general cause, leading to this war, known as tha 
" French and Indian War," was alleged encroachments of the 
French upon the frontier English colonial settlements. These 
settlements extended along the ocean from Newfoundland to 

The losses sustained by the colonies, in the fall of many of their bravest 
men, during this and the last Indian war, were severely felt. From 1722 to 
1749, a period of twenty-seven years, the losses of Massachusetts and Nev 
Hampshire equalled the whole increase of their numbers; whereas, in the 
natural course of population, their numbers would have more than doubled 



1760. 1 



FIKST SERVICE OF WASHINGTON. 131 

Floiida. On the other hand, the French had extended them- 
selves from the mouth of the St. Lawrence to Montreal ; had 
built forts -and trading-houses on Lake Ontario ; had settled 
New Orleans ; and, having discovered the valley of the Missis- 
sippi, they decided to connect their southern and northern settle- 
ments by a chain of posts along the line of that river and the 
Ohio, to Ontario ; and, by so doing, to hold territory which 
they ; indeed, claimed by virtue of occupation and exploration, 
but to which the English laid claim on account of Cabot's early 
discovery. Thus these two powers were at issue, and upon the 
tired and impoverished colonies falls the brunt of the war. 

5. The circumstance which served to open the war was the 
alleged intrusion of the Ohio Company upon the territory of the 
French. This company consisted of a number of influential men, 
from London and Virginia, who had obtained a charter grant of 
six hundred thousand acres of land, on and near the river Ohio, 
for the purpose of carrying on the fur trade with the Indians, 
and of settling the country. The Governor of Canada had early 
intelligence^ of the transactions of this company; and, fearing 
that their plan would deprive the French of the advantages of 
the fur trade, and prevent communications between Canada and 
Louisiana, he addressed a letter to the Governors of New York 
and Pennsylvania, claiming the country east of the Ohio to the 
Alleshanies, and forbidding the further encroachments of the 
English traders. 

6. The Ohio Company, thus threatened, appealed to the Lieu- 
tenant-governor of Virginia, Dinwiddie, who laid the subject 
befoie the assembly, which ordered a messenger to be despatched 
to the French commandant on the Ohio, to demand the reasons 
of his hostile conduct, and to summon the French to evacuate 
the forts which they had recently built in that region. 

7. The person intrusted with this service was George Wash- 
ington, who, at the early age of twenty-one, thus stepped forth 
in the public cause, and began that line of services which ended 
in the independence of his country. The service to which Wash- 
ington was appointed was both difficult and dangerous ; the place 
of his destination beins; above four hundred miles distant, two 
hundred of which lay through a wilderness, inhabited only by 



* As yet, the Pennsylvanians had principally managed the trade with th« 
jfndians. But, being now about to be deprived of it by the Ohio Company, 
which was opening a road to the Potomac, they excited the fears of tha 
Indians, lest their lands should be taken from them, and gave early intelli. 
gence to the French of the designs and transactions of the company. 



132 PERIOD HL — 1T5G— 1775. — F. AXD EST)IA^ WAJEU 

Indians. He arrived in safety, however, and delivered a letter 
from Governor Dinwiddie to the commandant.* Having re : 
a written answer, and secretly taken the i fort, 

:urned. The reply of the commandant :: ( .^ : vernar I'in- 
<riddie was, that he fa of the country under 

the direction of the Gov. 1 ; ..-_:: eral of Canada, to whom he 
would transmit his letter, and whose orders only he would 

& The British min:-:ry. on being d -uainted with the 

conduct of the French, instructed the Virginians I I their 

encroachments by fbr: s reg meut was raised in 

Virginia, which was joined by an hide] from 

South . a ; and . " 

1754, march towards tl -P n g 

within the disputed tea ri1 -.for the purpose of expelling the 
.:-h. 

9. On his arrival at the Great ^Meadows, havi:. _ :ed a 
small stockade fort, afterwards called Fori 1 .he pro- 

i with his force, increased to nearly four hundred men, 
towards the F :rt du Quesne (du-Kane), the prese n t site 

of Pittsburg, with the intention of dislodging the enemy. 
Hearing, however, that the enemy was appro-aching, he retired to 
Fort!N":; :tacked by nearly 

fifteen hundred troops from Fort du Quesne, under earn 
31. de Villiers. After an engagement gf several hours, De V3- 

iemanded a parley, and offere<i terms of capitulation 
These terms were rejected ; but, during " 4th, 

articl Inch Wasl _ . upon 

surrendering the fort, to march with his troops, unm 

\ irgmia Such - ".. . _ of open hosrilit: 

were succeeded t; . .-r host:.. :ed by 

irit and manner of w _ i formal deck, 

war • ' us aftec readv 

mentioned. 

10. The British ministrj, pereert :o be inevitable, 

..erica to uni: 
scheme for their common defence. 
of de. s, New II Inland, 

Pennsylvania, 31 - 

nor and council of New York, was held at . 1754, and 

e comma: 
the French called Yenango, on the ate of the present village of Frankli^ 
Hie chief town of Yenang 



VARIOUS EXPEDITIONS. 133 

a plan * of union adopted, resembling, in several of its features, 
the present constitution of the United States. But the plan met 
with the approbation neither of the provincial assemblies nor the 
king's council. By the former it was rejected, because it gave 
too much power to the crown ; and by the latter, because it gave 
too much power to the people. ^ 

Campaign of 1755.t — 1. Early in the spring of 1755, 
preparations were made by the colonies for vigorous exertions 
against the enemy. Four expeditions were planned : — one 
against the French in Nova Scotia, a second against the French 
on the Ohio, a third against Crown Point, and a fourth against 
Niagara. 

2. The expedition against Nova Scotia, consisting of three 
thousand men, chiefly from Massachusetts, was conducted by 
Generals Monckton and Winslow. With these troops they sailed 
from Boston, May 20th, and on the 1st of June arrived at 
Chignecto, in the Bay of Fundy. After being joined by three 
hundred British troops, and a small train of artillery, they pro- 
ceeded against Fort Beau Se-jour, which, after four days' invest- 

* According to this plan, a grand council was to be formed, of members 
cbosen by the provincial assemblies, and sent from all the colonies ; which 
council, with a governor -general, appointed by the crown, and having a neg- 
ative voice, should be empowered to make general laws, to raise money in 
all the colonies for their defence, to call forth troops, regulate trade, lay 
duties, &c. &c. 

The plan, thus matured, was approved and signed, on the fourth of July, 
- -the day that Washington surrendered Fort Necessity, and twenty-two years 
before the Declaration of Independence, — by all the delegates, excepting 
those from Connecticut, who objected to the negative voice of the governor- 
general. 

One circumstance, in the history of this plan, deserves here to be recorded, 
as evincing the dawning spirit of the Revolution. Although the plan was 
rejected by the provincial assemblies, they declared, without reserve, that, if 
it were adopted, they would undertake to defend themselves from the French, 
without assistance from Great Britain. They required but to be left to 
employ their supplies in their own way, to effect their security and predomi- 
nance. 

The mother country was too jealous to trust such powers with the Ameri- 
cans ; but she proposed another plan, designed to lay a foundation for the 
perpetual dependence and slavery of the colonies. This plan was, that the 
governors, with one or more of their council, should form a convention to 
concert measures for the general defence, to erect fortifications, raise men, 
&g. &c, with power to draw upon the British treasury, to defray all 
charges ; which charges should be reimbursed by taxes upon the colonies, 
Imposed by acts of Parliament. But to allow the British government the 
right of taxation, to lay the colonies under the obligation of a debt to be 
thus liquidated, to subject themselves to the rapacity of king's collectors, 
we scarcely need say was a proposal which met with universal disapprobation. 

■f For the principal events of the campaign of 1755, the pupil is referred to 
pago 130 ; and the teacher should question him as to those events, and the 
•events of every subsequent campaign of the war. 
12 



134 PERIOD IH. — 1756— 1775. — P. AND INDIAN WAR. 

ment, surrendered. The name of the fort was now changed tQ 
that of Cumberland. From this place General Monckton pro- 
ceeded further into the country, took other forts in possession of 
the French, and disarmed the inhabitants. By this successful 
expedition, the English possessed themselves of the whole coun- 
try of Nova Scotia, a part of which the French claimed; its 
tranquillity was restored, and placed upon a permanent basis. 

3. The French force in Nova Scotia being subdued, a difficult 
question occurred, respecting the disposal of the inhabitants. Fear- 
ing that they might join the French in Canada, whom they had 
before furnished with intelligence, quarters and provisions, it 
was determined to disperse them among the English colonies. 
Under this order, nearly two thousand miserable occupants of a 
sterile soil, and yet attached to it, and so loyal as to refuse to 
take the oath of allegiance to the King of England, were driven 
on board the British shipping, and dispersed among the English 
colonies. 

4. The expedition against the French on the Ohio was led 
by General Braddock, a British officer, who commenced his 
march from Virginia in June, with about two thousand men, for 
Fort du Quesne. Leaving Colonel Dunbar to follow, within the 
heavy baggage, he selected twelve hundred troops, and pressed 
forward. When at the distance of some twelve or fourteen 
miles from the fort, he was warned by his officers to guard 
against surprise ; but, too self-confident to receive advice, he urged 
forward his troops, and, on the 9th of July, when within seven 
miles of the fort, he was suddenly attacked by a body of French 
and Indians. Although the enemy did not exceed five hundred, 
yet, after an action of three hours, Braddock, under whom five 
horses had been killed, was mortally wounded, and his troops 
defeated,^ with the loss to the English army of sixty-four out of 
eighty-five officers, and nearly half the privates. 

* De Haas, in his History of Western Virginia, maintains, as an unques- 
tionable point of history, that Braddock was shot by one of his own men, by 
the name of Tom Fausett. Braddock had issued a foolish yet positive 
order, that none of the troops should protect themselves behind trees. Re- 
gardless of this, Joseph Fausett, a brother of Tom, had so posted himself; 
which Braddock perceiving, rode up, and struck him down with his sword. 
Tom saw his brother fall, and immediately drew jp his rifle, and shot Brad- 
dock in the back. The ball was stopped, in its passage through the body, by 
a coat of mail in front. Tom Fausett is said to have died in 1828, at the 
great age of one hundred and fourteen years. The sash of General Brad- 
dock (in which he was borne from the field) was presented, in 1S46, by a 
gentleman of Xew Orleans, into whose possession it had come, to General 
Taylor. It was composed of red silk, and the date of its manufacture was 
interwoven, " 1707." The blood of General Braddock had left marks upoa 
U of deep discolorations. 



N°4. 




BRAVE CONDUCT OF WASHINGTON. lot) 

5. A remarkable event in the history of this affair remains to 
be told. General Braddock held the provincial troops in great 
contempt. Consequently, he kept the Virginians, and other 
provincials who were in the action, in the rear. Yet, although 
equally exposed with the rest, far from being affected with the 
fears that disordered the regular troops, they stood firm and 
unbroken, and, under Colonel Washington, covered the retreat 
of the regular troops, and saved them from total destruction. 
The retreat of the army, after Braddock was wounded, was pre- 
cipitate. No pause was made until the rear division, under Colo- 
nel Dunbar, was met. This division, on its junction with the 
other, was seized with the same spirit of flight ; and both divi- 
sions proceeded to Fort Cumberland, a distance of nearly one 
hundred and twenty miles from the place of action. Had the 
troops, even here, recovered their spirits and returned, success 
might still have crowned the expedition. At least, the army 
might have rendered the most important service to the cause, by 
preventing the devastations and inhuman murders perpetrated 
by the French and Indians, during the summer, on the western 
borders of Virginia and Pennsylvania. But, instead of adopting 
a course so salutary and important, Colonel Dunbar, leaving the 
<dck and wounded at Cumberland, marched with his troops to 
Philadelphia. 

6. The expedition against Crown Point was conducted by 
General William Johnson, a member of the council of New 
York; and although it failed as to its main object, yet its results 
diffused exultation through the American colonies, and dispelled 
the gloom which followed Braddosk's defeat. The army under 
Johnson arrived at the south end of Lake George the latter part 
of August. While here, intelligence was received that a body 
of the enemy, two thousand in number, had landed at Southbay, 
now Whitehall, under command of Baron Dieskau, and were 
marching towards Fort Edward, for the purpose of destroying 
some provisions and military stores. At a council of war, it was 
resolved to detach a party to intercept the French and save the 
fort. This party consisted of twelve hundred men, commanded 
by Colonel Ephraim Williams, of Deerfield, Massachusetts. 
Unfortunately, this detachment was surprised by Dieskau, who 
was lying in ambush for them. After a most signal slaughter, 
in which Colonel Williams, and Hendrick, a renowned Mohawk 
gachem, and many other officers, fell, the detachment was 
obliged to retreat. 

7. The firing was heard in the camp of Johnson ; and, as it 
seemed to approach nearer and nearer, it was naturally conjectured 



136 PERIOD HI. — 1756— 1775. — F. AND INDIAN WAR. 

that the English troops were repulsed. The best preparations 
which the time allowed were made to receive the advancing foe. 
Dieskau, with his troops, soon appeared, and commenced a spir- 
ited attack. They were received, however, with so much intre- 
pidity, — the cannon and musketry did so much execution among 
their ranks, — that the enemy retired in great disorder, having 
experienced a signal defeat, rendered still more severe by a 
mortal wound received by Dieskau, by which he fell into the 
hands of the English.^ 

8. The expedition against Niagara was committed to Gov- 
ernor Shirley, of Massachusetts, whose force amounted to two 
thousand five hundred men. But the season was too far ad- 
vanced, before his preparations were completed, to effect any- 
thing of importance. After proceeding to Oswego, on Lake 
Ontario, the army being poorly supplied with provisions, and 
the rainy season approaching, the expedition was abandoned, 
and the troops returned to Albany. Thus ended the campaign 
of 1755. 

Campaign of 1756. — 1. In the spring of 1756, Governor 
Shirley was succeeded by General Abercrombie, until the arrival 
of the Earl of Loudon, commander-in-chief of all his majesty's 
forces in -America. The hostilities of the two preceding years 

* Few events of no greater magnitude leave stronger impressions than 
resulted from the battle of Lake George. Following, as it did, the discom- 
fiture of Braddock, it served to restore the honor of the British arms, and the 
tone of the public mind. 

At the time it was meditated to send a detachment, under Colonel Williams, 
to intercept Dieskau, the number of men proposed was mentioned to Ilen- 
drick, the Mohawk chief, and his opinion asked. He replied, " If they are to 
fight, they are too few. If they are to be killed, they are too many." The 
number was accordingly increased. General Johnson proposed to divide 
the detachment into three parties. Upon this, Hendrick took three sticks, 
and, putting them together, said to him, " Put these together, and you can- 
not break them ; take them one by one, and you will break them easily." 
The hint succeeded, and Hendrick s sticks saved many of the party, and 
probably the whole army, from destruction. 

Among the wounded of the French, as already stated, was the Baron 
Dieskau. He had received a ball through his leg; and, being unable to fol- 
low his retreating army, was found by an English soldier, resting upon the 
stump of a tree, with scarcely an attendant. Dieskau, apprehensive for hia 
safety, was feeling for his watch, in order to give it to the soldier, when the 
man, suspecting that he was feeling for a pistol, levelled his gun, and 
wounded him in the hips. He was carried to the camp, and treated with 
great kindness. From the camp he was removed to Albany and New York, 
whence, some time after, he sailed for England, where he died. He was a 
superior officer, possessed of honorable feelings, and adorned with highly 
polished manners. One stain, however, attaches to his character. Before 
his engagement with Colonel Williams' corps, he gave orders to his troops 
neither to give nor take quarter. 



FALL OF FORT OSWEGO. 137 

had been carried on without any formal proclamation of war ; 
but on the 17th of May, as already stated, war was declared by 
Great Britain against France, and, soon after, by France against 
Great Britain, in turn. 

2. The plan of operations for the campaign of 1756 embraced 
the attack of Niagara and Crown Point, still in possession of 
the French. Both these places were of great importance : the 
former being the connecting link in the line of fortifications 
between Canada and Louisiana ; and the latter commanding 
Lake Champlain, and guarding the only passage, at that time, 
into Canada. But, important as they were, the reduction of 
neither was this year accomplished, nor even attempted, owing, 
chiefly, to the great delays of those who held the chief com- 
mand. Troops were raised for the expedition against Crown 
Point, amounting to seven thousand, the command of whom was 
assigned to Major-general Winslow, of Massachusetts. But 
his march was delayed by obstacles ascribed to the improvidence 
of Abercrombie. 

3. After the mortal wound received by Dieskau at the battle 
of Lake George, the Marquis de Montcalm, an able and enter- 
prising officer, succeeded to the command of the French forces. 
In the month of August, this officer, with eight thousand regu- 
lar troops, Canadians and Indians, invested the fort at Oswego, 
on the south side of Lake Ontario, — one of the most important 
posts held by the English in America, — and in a few days took 
it. On the receipt of this intelligence, Lord Loudon, who 
entered upon the command, despatched orders to General Wins- 
low, on his march towards Crown Point, not to proceed. The 
fall of the fort at Oswego was most unfortunate for the English ; 
and their loss of men made prisoners, and munitions of war, 
peculiarly severe. 

4. By the capture of this post, the enemy obtained the entire 
command of the Lakes Ontario and Erie, and of the whole 
country of the Six Nations. Sixteen hundred men were made 
prisoners, and one hundred and twenty pieces of cannon were 
taken, with fourteen mortars, two sloops-of-war, and two hun- 
dred boats and batteaux. After this disastrous event, all offens- 
ive operations were immediately relinquished, although it was 
then three months to the time of the usual decampment of 
the army. Thus, through the inactivity of a man whose leading 
trait was indecision, not one object of the campaign was gained. 

Campaign of 1757. — 1. Notwithstanding the failure of the 
campaign of 1756, the British Parliament made great prepara- 
tions to prosecute the war of 1757. In July, an armament of 
12* 



138 PERIOD III. — 1756— 1775. — F. AND INDIAN WAR. 

eleven ships-of-the-line and fifty transports, with more than sis 
thousand troops, arrived at Halifax, destined for the reduction of 
Louisburg. The colonies having been raising men for an expe- 
dition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, their disappoint- 
ment was great to learn, from the orders of Lord Loudon, that 
these troops were to be employed against Louisburg. But they 
were obliged to submit; and his lordship proceeded to join the 
armament at Halifax. So dilatory were their measures, however, 
that, before they were ready to sail, Louisburg was reinforced by 
a fleet of seventeen sail, and with troops to make it nine thou- 
sand strong. On the reception of this intelligence, the expedi- 
tion was abandoned. 

2. While weakness and indecision were thus marking the 
councils of the English, the French continued to urge on their 
victories. Montcalm, still commander of the French in the 
north, finding the troops withdrawn from Halifax for the reduc- 
tion of Louisburg, seized the occasion to make a descent on Fort 
William Henry, situated on the north shore of Lake George, 
and garrisoned by three thousand men. With a force of nine 
thousand, he laid siege to it, and, at the expiration of six days, 
took it, thus securing the command of the lake, and of the west- 
ern frontier.^ 

3. The defence of Fort William Henry was so gallant, that 
Colonel Munroe, with his troops, was admitted to an honorable 
capitulation. The capitulation, however, was most shamefully 
broken. While the troops were marching out at the gate of 
the fort, the Indians attached to Montcalm's party dragged 
the men from their ranks, and, with all the inhumanity of sav- 
age feeling, plundered them of their baggage, and butchered 

* The defence of the fort against such numbers reflected the highest 
honor upon its brave commander, Colonel Munroe. Six days was the enemy 
kept at bay with unabated resolution, in full expectation of assistance from 
General "Webb, who lay at Fort Edward, only fifteen miles distant, with an 
army of four thousand men. 

The character of General Webb continues sullied by his unpardonable 
inditfcrcnce to the perilous situation of his brethren in arms at Fort William 
Henry. It deserves to be known, that Sir, William Johnson, after very 
importunate solicitations, obtained leave of General Webb to march, with as 
many as would volunteer in the service, to the relief of Munroe. 

At the beat of the drums, the provincials, almost to a man, sallied forth, 
and were soon ready and eager for the march. After being under arms 
almost all day, what were their feelings when Sir William, returning from 
head-quarters, informed them that General Webb had forbidden them ta 
march ! 

The soldiers were inexpressibly mortified and enraged; and their com- 
mander did himself no common honor in the tears he shed, as he turned 
from his troops, and retired to his tent. 



REDUCTION OF LOUISBURG. 139 

fcheni in cold blood. Out of a New Hampshire corps of two 
hundred, eighty were missing. It is said that efforts were made 
by the French to restrain the barbarians ; but the truth of the 
assertion may well be doubted, when it is considered that Mont- 
calm had at least seven thousand French in command, and yet 
these barbarians were not restrained. 

Campaign of 1758. — 1. In 1758, the celebrated Pitt, Lord 
Chatham, was placed at the head of the administration, and 
breathed a new soul into the British councils, reviving the ener- 
gies of the colonies, weakened and exhausted by a series of ill- 
contrived and unfortunate expeditions. The tide of success now 
turned in favor of the English, who continued, with some few 
exceptions, to achieve one victory after another, until the whole 
of Canada surrendered to the British arms. Upon coming into 
office, Pitt addressed a circular to the colonial governors, in 
which he assured them of the determination of the ministry to 
send a large force to America, and called upon them to raise as 
many troops as the number of inhabitants would allow. To this 
call the colonies promptly responded, Massachusetts, Connecti- 
cut and New Hampshire, unitedly, raising fifteen thousand 
men, who were ready to take the field in May. 

2. Three expeditions were proposed : — the first against Louis- 
burg ; the second against Ticonderoga ; the third against Fort 
du Quesne. 

3. On the expedition against Louisburg, Admiral Boscawen 
Bailed from Halifax, May 28th, with a fleet of twenty ships-of- 
the-line, eighteen frigates, and an army of fourteen thousand 
men, under the command of Brigadier-general Amherst, next 
to whom in command was General Wolfe. On the 26th of 
July, after a vigorous resistance, this important fortress was 
surrendered, and with it more than five thousand prisoners, 
and large munitions of war. At the same time, St. Johns, with 
Cape Breton, fell into the hands of the English, who now became 
masters of the coast from the St. Lawrence to Nova Scotia. 
The surrender of this fortress was a more signal loss to Franco 
than any which she had sustained, since the commencement of 
the war. It greatly obstructed her communications with Can- 
ada, and was powerfully instrumental in hastening the subjuga- 
tion of that country to the British crown. 

4. The expedition against Ticonderoga was conducted by 
General Abercrombie, now commander-in-chief in America, Lord 
Loudon having returned to England. An army of sixteen 
thousand men, nine thousand of whom were provincials, followed 
his standard, besides a formidable train of artillery. Having 



140 PERIOD III. — 175G— 1775. — F. AND INDIAN WAR. 

passed Lake George, the army proceeded, with great difficulty, 
towards the fortress. Unfortunately, Abercrombie trusted to 
others, who were incompetent to the task, to reconnoitre the 
ground and intrenchments of the" enemy ; and, without a knowl- 
edge of the strength of the places, or of the proper points of 
attack, issued his orders to attempt the lines, without bringing 
up a single piece of artillery. The army advanced to the charge 
with the greatest intrepidity, and for more than four hours main- 
tained the attack with incredible obstinacy. After the loss of 
nearly two thousand in killed and wounded, the troops were sum- 
moned away. The retreat was as unhappy as the attack had 
been precipitate and ill-advised. Had the siege been prosecuted 
with prudence and vigor, the reduction of the place would have 
been easily accomplished, without such a waste of human life, as 
the garrison amounted to but little more than three thousand 
inen.^ 

5. After his repulse, Abercrombie retired to his former quarters 
on Lake George. Here, anxious in any "way to repair the mis- 
chief and disgrace of defeat, he consented, at the solicitation of 
Colonel Bradstreet, to detach him, with three thousand men, 
against Fort Frontenac, on the north-west si^e of the outlet of 
Lake Ontario. With these troops, mostly provincial, Bradstreet 
sailed down the Ontario, landed within a mile of the fort, opened 
his batteries, and in two days forced this important fortress to 
surrender. Nine armed vessels, sixty cannon, sixteen mortars, 
and a vast quantity of ammunition, &c. &e., fell into his hands. 

6. To dispossess the French at Fort du Quesne, the bulwark 
of their dominion over the western regions, was a third expedi- 
tion contemplated this year. This enterprise was intrusted to 
General Forbes, who left Philadelphia in July, but did not 
arrive at Du Quesne till late in November. The force collected 
for the attack amounted to eight thousand effective men. An 
attack, however, was needless, the fort having been deserted by 

* The passage of Abercrombie across Lake George, on bis way with his 
army to Ticonderoga, was effected by means of one thousand and thirty-five 
boats. The splendor of the military parade on the occasion was eminently 
imposing. Dr. Dwight thus describes it ; 

" The morning was bright and beautiful ; and the fleet moved with exact 
regularity, to the sound of fine martial music. The ensigns waved and glit- 
tered in the sunbeams, and the anticipation of future triumph shone in every 
eye. Above, beneath, around, the scenery was that of enchantment. 
Rarely has the sun, since that luminary was first lighted up in the heavens, 
dawned on such a complication of beauty and magnificence." How greatlj 
did all this parade, and all the anticipation indulged, add V> the mortiiicatioi 
»f the defeat which followed ! 



REDUCTION OF TICONDEROGA. 141 

the garrison the evening before the arrival of the army. In 
honor of Mr. Pitt, its name was now changed to Pittsburg. 

7. Another event of this year concurred in bringing to pass 
the fortunate issues of the next. This was a treaty of peace and 
friendship with the Six Nations, and other tribes inhabiting 
between the Apalachian Mountains, the Alleghanies, and the lakes. 
This treaty was concluded at Easton, sixty miles from Philadel- 
phia.^ 

Campaign of 1759. — 1. The campaign of 1759 having for 
its ultimate object the conquest of Canada, three separate forces 
were raised : one, under General Amherst, for the reduction of 
Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and thence to proceed to 
Quebec by Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence ; a second, 
under General Prideaux, to proceed against Niagara, and thence 
to Montreal ; while a third, under Wolfe, was to ascend the St. 
Lawrence for the siege of Quebec, there to be joined by 
Amherst and his forces. On the 22d of July, Amherst 
reached Ticonderoga ; soon after which it surrendered, the prin- 
cipal part of the garrison having retired to Crown Point. Hav- 
ing strengthened Ticonderoga, the army next proceeded against 
that also, of which they took quiet possession, the enemy having 
fled before their arrival. On the arrival of General Prideaux at 
Niagara, July 6, the fort was immediately invested : on the 24th, 
a general battle took place, which decided the fate of Niagara, 
and placed it in the hands of the English.! 

2. While the English troops were achieving these important 
victories, General Wolfe was prosecuting the most important 
enterprise of the campaign, namely, the reduction of Quebec. 
Embarking at Louisburg with eight thousand men, under convoy 
of Admirals Saunders and Holmes, he landed with his troops, in 
June, on the Island of Orleans, below Quebec. After several 
fruitless attempts to reduce the place, Wolfe decided to avail 
himself of a project said to have been suggested by General 

* The managers of the treaty, on the part of Great Britain, were the Gov- 
ernors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Sir William Johnson, four members 
of the council of Pennsylvania, six members of assembly, and two agents 
from New Jersey. 

The tribes represented on this occasion, and with which the treaty was 
made, were the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagoes, Cayugas, Senecas, Tuscaro- 
ras, Nanticoques, and Conays, the Tuteloes, Chugnuts, Delawares, Unamies, 
Minisinks, Mohicans, and Wappingers. The whole number of Indians, 
including women and children, present, amounted to five hundred. 

f Four days previous to this battle, that able and distinguished officer 
General Prideaux, was killed, by the bursting of a cohorn. The command 
devolved on Sir William Johnson, who successfully put in execution the plan! 
of his lamented predecessor. 



142 PERIOD III. — 1756—1775. — F. AND INDIAN WAR. 

Townshend, of ascending a precipice of from one hundred and fifty 
to two hundred feet, by which he would reach the Plains of Abra- 
ham, and thus gain access to the enemy in a less fortified spot. 

3. Accordingly, the troops were transported up the river 
about nine miles. On the 12th of September, one hour after 
midnight, Wolfe and his troops left the ships, and in boats 
silently dropped down the current, intending to land a league 
above Gape Diamond, and there ascend the bank leading to the 
station he wished to gain. Owing, however, to the rapidity of 
the river, they fell below the intended place, and landed a mile, 
or a mile and a half, above the city. The operation was a 
critical one, as they had to navigate, in silence, down a rapid 
stream, and to find a right place for landing, — which, amidst sur- 
rounding darkness, might be easily mistaken. Besides this, the 
shore was shelving, and the banks so steep and lofty as scarcely 
to be ascended, even without opposition from an enemy. 

4. About an hour before day, the army began to ascend the 
precipice, the distance of one hundred and fifty or two hundred 
feet almost perpendicular ascent, above which spread the Plains 
of Abraham. By daylight, September 13th, this almost incredi- 
ble enterprise had been effected ; the desired station was attained, 
the army was formed, and ready to meet the enemy. To Mont- 
calm this intelligence was most surprising. The impossibility 
of ascending the precipice he considered certain, and therefore 
had taken no measures to fortify its line. But no sooner was 
he informed of the position of the English army, than, perceiv- 
ing a battle no longer to be avoided, he prepared to fight. Between 
nine and ten o'clock, the two armies, about equal in numbers, met 
face to face. 

5. The battle now commenced. Inattentive to the fire of a 
body of Canadians and Indians, one thousand five hundred of 
whom Montcalm had stationed in the corn-fields and bushes, 
Wolfe directed his troops to reserve their fire for the main body 
of the French, now rapidly advancing. On their approach 
within forty yards, the English opened their fire, and the de- 
struction became immense. The French fought bravely, but their 
ranks became disordered, and, notwithstanding the repeated efforts 
of their officers to form them, and to renew the attack, they were 
so successfully pushed by the British bayonet, and hewn down by 
the Highland broad-sword, that their discomfiture was complete. 

6. During the action, Montcalm was on the French left, and 
Wolfe on the English right ; and here they both fell, in the 
critical moment that decided the victory. Early in the battle, 
Wolfe received a ball in his wrist, but continued to encouraga 



DEATH OF WOLFE. 143 

his men. Shortly after, another ball penetrated his groin ; but 
this wound, although much more severe, he concealed, till a tliird 
bullet pierced his breast. He was now obliged, though reluctant, 
to be carried to the rear of the line. General Monckton suc- 
ceeded to the command ; but, being immediately wounded, was 
conveyed away, upon which the command devolved upon General 
Townshend. Montcalm, fighting in front of his battalion, received 
a mortal wound about the same time, and General Jennezergus, 
his second in command, fe]l near his side. 

7. Wolfe died in the field, before the battle was ended ; but he 
lived sufficiently long to know that the victory was his. While 
leaning on the shoulder of a lieutenant, who kneeled to support 
him, he was seized with the agonies of death : at this moment 
was heard the distant sound, " They fly — they fly ! " The hero 
raised his drooping head, and eagerly asked, " Who fly? " Being 
told that it was the French — " Then," he replied, " I die happy," 
and expired.^ The result of this battle, so fatal to the heroic 
Wolfe, and yet so honorable to the British arms, was the capture 
of a thousand prisoners, and the death of a thousand French 
troops. The loss of the English scarcely exceeded six hundred, in 
killed and wounded. Five days after, the city capitulated : the 
inhabitants were to enjoy their civil and religious rights, and 
remain neutral during the war. The city was garrisoned under 
command of General Murray. The capture of Quebec, which 
soon followed, important as it was, did not immediately ter- 
minate the war. The French in Canada had still a powerful 
army, and some naval force above the city. 

Campaign of 1760. — 1. In the ensuing spring, 1760, Mon- 
sieur Levi approached Quebec, from Montreal, assisted by six 
frigates, for the purpose of recovering it from the English. 
General Murray, who commanded the English garrison, marched 
to meet him, with only three thousand men ; and, on the 28th of 
April, after a bloody battle, fought at Sillsery, three miles 
above the city, the English army was defeated, with the loss of 
one thousand men, the French having lost more than double 

♦"This death," says Professor Silliman, "has furnished a grand and 
pathetic subject for the painter, the poet and the historian ; and, undoubt- 
edly, considered as a specimen of mere military glory, it is one of the most 
sublime that the annals of war t'fford." 

Alontcalm wa? every way worthy of being the competitor of Wolfe. In 
talents, in military skill, in personal courage, he was not his inferior. Nor 
was his death much les3 sublime. He lived to be carried to the city, where 
his last moments were employed in writing, with hi3 own hand, a letter to 
the English general, recommending the French prisoners to his care and 
humanity. When informed that his wound -was mortal, he replied, " I shall 
not, then, live to see the surrender of Quebec." 



144 PERIOD m. — 1756— 1775. — F. AKD EST)] AX WAK. 

that number. The English retreated to Quebec, to which thft 
French now laid siege. About the middle of May, an English 
squadron arrived with reinforcements, soon after which the 
French fleet was taken and destroyed, and the siege was raised. 
*2. The attention of General Amherst was now directed to 
the reduction of Montreal, the last fortress of consequence in 
the possession of the French. To effect this, he detached 
Colonel Haviland, with a well-disciplined army, to proceed to 
Lake George, Crown Point, and Lake Champlain ; General 
Murray was ordered from Quebec, with such forces as could be 
spared from the garrison, while General Amherst himself pro- 
ceeded, with ten thousand men, by Lake Ontario, down the river 
St. Lawrence. Generals Amherst and Murray arrived at Mon- 
treal on the 6th of September, and were joined by Haviland on 
the day succeeding. While preparing to lay siege to the place, 
the commander of Montreal, M. de Yaudreuil, perceiving that 
resistance would be ineffectual, demanded a capitulation. On the 
Sth, Montreal, Detroit, Michilimackinac, and all the other places 
within the government of Canada, were surrendered to his 
Britannic majesty. 

3. Thus ended a war which, from the first hostilities, had 
continued six years, and during which much distress had been 
experienced, and many thousand valuable lives lest. Great and 
universal was the joy of the colonies at the successful termina- 
tion of a contest so long and severe ; and public thanksgivings 
were generally appointed, to ascribe due honor to Him who had 
preserved to them their existence and liberties. 

4. While the troops were thus employed in the conquest of 
Canada, the colonies of Virginia and South Carolina suffered 
invasion and outrage from the Cherokees, a powerful tribe of 
savages on the west. But, in 1701, they were signally d 

by Colonel Grant, and compelled to sue for peace. 

5. The conquest of Canada having been achieved, in 17C3 a 
definitive treaty, the preliminaries of which had been settled the 
year before, was signed at Paris, and soon after ratified by the 
Kings of England and France ; by which all Nova Scotia, 
Canada, the Isle of Cape Breton, and all other islands in the 
gulf and river St. Lawrence were ceded to the British crown. 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD IV. 

DISTINGUISHED FOR THE WAR OF THE REVOLU- 
TION. 

EXTENDING FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES 
BY GREAT BRITAIN, AGAINST THE AMERICAN COLO- 
NIES, IN THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON, 1775, TO THB 
DISBANDING OF THE AMERICAN ARMY, AT WEST POINT, 
1783. 

1. " The Revolution in America," the first blood of which was 
shed in the battle of Lexington, Massachusetts, on the 19th of 
April, 1775, was an extraordinary event, and at the time of its 
occurrence was imlooked for, both by the government and nation 
of Great Britain. That the colonies had lonsr been dissatisfied 
with the conduct of England towards them, and that this dis- 
satisfaction was gradually increasing, was well known ; but the 
statesmen on the other side supposed that they should be able to 
secure the submission of the colonies to whatever line of policy 
they might choose to adopt. 

2. But they little understood the American character. The 
colonists had, indeed, filial feelings towards the mother country. 
That was their " home ; " and, aside from the treatment they 
met with, they had no desire or intention of becoming inde- 
pendent. Had the British statesmen shown kindness towards 
them, they might have preserved the bond of union ; but, by 
means of neglect, of acts of oppression, of restriction upon com- 
merce, and abusive taxation, they hastened the very event 
which they so much deplored. Let us advert to some of the 
remote and proximate causes of the Revolution. These were : 

13 



146 



PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783. — THE REVOLUTION. 



A love of liberty inherited from 

the Pilgrim Fathers. 
Forms of government adopted 

in the colonies. 
Neglect of the mother country. 
Early measures of oppression. 
Restrictions on commerce. 
Prohibition of manufactures. 
Unjust taxation. 
Transportation of Americans to 

England for trial. 



Stamp act. 

Writs of assistance. 

Arrival and conduct of roya* 
officers and troops. 

Affray of the 5th March, 1770. 

Introduction and destruction of 
tea. 

First Continental Congress. 

Massachusetts Provincial As- 
sembly. 



3. At the era of this great event, thirteen colonies had been 
planted. These were Virginia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, 
Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, 
Pennsylvania, Maryland, North and South Carolina, and Geor- 
gia. Different objects were proposed in the establishment of 
these colonies. Some had pecuniary profit in view. They hoped 
for returns for capital advanced. The northern colonies, on the 
other hand, came on their own concern, at their own expense, 
and for the enjoyment of religious freedom, of which they were 
deprived at home. 

4. Now, was it to be expected that such persons would tamely 
consent to have that liberty abridged ? If many of the Pilgrim 
Fathers had such love of liberty, would not their descendants be 
likely to have? The spirit of liberty does not easily die; 
especially among a people where everything tends to strengthen 
their physical frame, and increase their moral courage. Felling 
forests, resisting savages, building towns, were quite likely to 
make the young, ardent and ambitious, think of and long for 
independence. 

5. In the next place, the forms of government adopted by the 
colonists conduced to independence. Three forms of government 
existed, — charter, proprietary, and royal. The charter gov- 
ernments were confined to New England ; the proprietary 
governments were those of Maryland, Pennsylvania, the 
Carolinas, and the Jerseys. The others were royal govern- 
ments, or those immediately subject to the crown. 

6. Setting aside the royal governments, where the spirit of 
liberty might be supposed to be kept in check, look at the 
others. As early as 1619, only twelve years from its settle- 
ment, a provincial legislature, in which the colonists were repre- 
sented, was introduced into Virginia (p. 31). In Plymouth 
(p. 39) and in Massachusetts (p. 46), the colonies organized 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 147 

their bodies politic and social upon principles of perfect 
equality. In 1639, only three years after the commencement 
of the Connecticut colony, it formed a system of government 
which most admirably provided for the rights of all (p. 75). 
Maryland, Pennsylvania and the Carolinas, did essentially the 
same. 

7. The very first principles, then, of the colonies, were anti- 
monarchical, and in favor of and tending to liberty. And this 
early spirit was never lost to them. It continued unabated, 
and, indeed, strengthened, until at last it ended in a broad, 
irresistible current against British oppression. 

8. The neglect of Britain contributed to the same result. 
Excepting Georgia, all the thirteen colonies were established, 
and had attained to considerable strength, without the slightest 
aid from the treasury of England. Neither the crown nor the 
Parliament paid one dollar towards purchasing the soil of the 
Indians. The whole expense fell upon the colonists. The set- 
tlement of Massachusetts Bay cost two hundred thousand pounds. 
Lord Baltimore expended forty thousand pounds in settling 
Maryland. Virginia cost the first settlers immense wealth. 
The same was true of the original planters of Connecticut. 

9. This they could have borne. But what shall be said of 
the conduct of England, during those long, fierce, and bloody 
Indian wars, declared on her account ? In not one did she 
furnish any pecuniary aid whatever, and seldom any troops. 
She erected no fortifications, and manifested no sympathy ; hun- 
dreds died, — nay, thousands, — some from famine, some through 
hardship and fatigue, and others by the arrow and tomahawk. 
But she heeded it not. Her wars were carried on by the 
colonies, and then they were left to pay the expenses. The 
natural consequences of such a policy are obvious. Teach a 
child to walk early, and he will soon decline your aid. Send a 
son abroad to take care of himself, and he will soon require no 
parental assistance. The colonists, neglected as they were, 
soon learned the important fact, that they could take care of 
themselves. 

— 10. But that which more directly tended to hasten the Revo- 
lution than all other causes was parliamentary measures of 
oppression. These consisted of restrictions upon commerce, pro- 
hibitions to carry on manufactures, writs of assistance, various 
plans for taxation, and laws by which to send persons to England 
for trial ; the object of all which was either to enrich the mother 
country, or to keep the colonies in subjection. 

11. Writs of assistance were orders issued by the Superior 



148 PERIOD IV. -1775— 1783. — THE REVOLUTION. 

Court of the province, requiring sheriffs and other civil officers 
to assist the person to whom they were granted in breaking open 
and searching every place, even private dwellings, if suspected 
of containing prohibited goods. The first application of the kind 
was made by the deputy collector of Salem, in 1760. The 
power of the court to grant such writs being called into question, 
a trial was had in the old town-house in Boston. Mr. Gridley, a 
distinguish^! lawyer, appeared for the crown ; Mr. Thatcher and 
Mr. Otis, for the merchants. The judges were five in number, of 
whom Lieutenant-governor Hutchinson was one, and the president 
of the bench. The room was filled with deeply anxious citizens. 

12. Mr. Gridley opened the case, and maintained "that the 
Parliament of Great Britain was the sovereign legislator of the 
British empire." That body had ordered these writs, and hence 
no more was to be said. Mr. Thatcher followed, and Mr. Otis 
succeeded him. The elder President Adams was present. 
u Otis," said he, in after times, " was a flame of fire." " To my 
dying day," said Otis, raising his voice in tones of thunder, — " to 
my dying day, I will oppose, with all the powers and faculties 
God has given me, all such instruments of slavery on the one 
hand, and villany on the other." 

13. The occasion was intensely exciting. The liberties of the 
people were in danger. Their very dwellings — those sanctuaries 
where every man should feel safe for himself and for his effects 
— were in jeopardy. So thought the vast throng then gathered : 
44 and they retired," says Mr. Adams, "each apparently ready, 
as I was, to take arms against writs oi^ assistance." The court 
adjourned without coming to a decision. These writs were 
afterwards, in a few instances, granted, but were exceedingly 
unpopular. In Connecticut, it is said, they were never issued. 

14. Before the peace of 1763, the subject of taxing the colo- 
nies had been wisely let alone. If money was wanted of them, 
the Parliament of England had been content to ask for it, and 
the colonial legislatures had supplied it with a willing hand. 
But, now, a different and oppressive policy was begun. The first 
act, the avowed purpose of which was a revenue from the colo- 
nies, passed the Parliament, September 29th, 1764, the pre- 
amble to which began thus : — " Whereas, it is just and neces- 
sary that a revenue be raised in America, for defraying the 
expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same, we, 
the Commons," && The act then proceeds to lay a duty on 
"clayed sugar, indigo, coffee, &o. &c, being the produce of a 
colony not under the dominion of his ma jest v." 

15. This act the colonies did not approve, because it recognized 



STAMP ACT. 149 

% right to tax them while unrepresented in Parliament ; whereas 
it was a fundamental law of all right government, — so they 
thought, — that taxation and representation were inseparable. 
"Without such representation, their property might be taken 
from them, and no voice to remonstrate. This claim, of the 
right to tax, on the one side, and the denial of it, on the other, 
was the very hinge on which the Revolution turned. 

16. In 1705, the policy thus begun was followed up by the 
passage of the famous stamp act. This ordained that instru- 
ments of writing, such as deeds, bonds, notes, &c, among the 
colonies, should be null and void, unless executed on stamped 
paper, for which a duty should be paid to the crown.* 

* This act consisted of fifty-five specific duties, laid on a3 many different 
instruments, in which paper was used. For a diploma or certificate of a col- 
lege degree, two pounds were charged ; for a license for selling wine, twenty 
shillings; for a common deed, one shilling and sixpence; for a newspaper, 
one half-penny to a penny; pamphlets, one shilling per sheet; advertise- 
ments, two shillings; almanacs, fourpence. 

Such a measure had heen suggested during the administrations of Walpole 
and Pitt. .Said Walpole, " I will leave the taxation of America to some of 
my successors, who have more courage than I have;" and said Pitt, " I will 
never burn my fingers with an American stamp act." 

When the bill was brought in, the ministers, and particularly Charles 
Townshend, exclaimed: 

** These Americans, — our own children, — planted by our care, nourished 
by our indulgence, protected by our arms, until they have grown to a good 
degree of strength and opulence, — will they now turn their backs upon us, 
and grudge to contribute their mite to relieve us from the heavy load which 
overwhelms us 1 " 

Colonel Barre caught the words, and, with a vehemence becoming a soldier, 
rose and said: 

" Planted by your care ! — No ! your oppression planted them in America, 
They fled from your tyranny into a then uncultivated land, where they were 
exposed to almost all the hardships to which human nature is liable, and, 
among others, to the savage cruelty of the enemy of the country, — a peo- 
ple the most subtle, and, I take upon me to say, the most truly terrible, of 
any people that ever inhabited any part of God's earth ; and yet, actuated 
by principles of true English liberty, they met all these hardships with 
pleasure, compared with those they suffered in their own country, from the 
hands of those that should have been their friends. 

" They nourished by your indulgence ! — They grew by your neglect. As 
soon as you began to care about them, that care was exercised in sending 
persons to rule over them, in one department and another, who were, per- 
haps, the deputies of the deputies of some members d" this house, sent to spy 
out their liberty, to misrepresent their actions, and t- prey upon them ; men, 
whose behavior, on many occasions, has caused the blood of these sons of 
liberty to recoil within them; men promoted to the h,?hest seats of justice, 
some of whom, to my knowledge, were glad, by going to foreign countries, 
to escape the vengeance of the laws in their own. 

" They protected by your arms ! — They have nobly taken up arms in you* 
defence ; have exerted their valor, amidst their constant and laborious indus- 
try, for the defence of a country whose frontiers, while drenched in blood, 
its interior parts have yielded, for your enlargement, the little savings of 

13* 



150 PEBIOD IV. — 1775—1783. — THE REVOLUTION. 

17. On the arrival of the news of the stamp act in America, 
a general indignation spread through the country, and resolu- 
tions were passed against the act, by most of the colonial assem- 
blies.^ In June, Massachusetts recommended the meeting of a 
Colonial Congress, to consult for the general safety. To this 
recommendation eight colonies acceded, namely, Rhode Island, 
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, 
Maryland, and South Carolina, — commissioners from each of 
which met those from Massachusetts at New York, on the first 
Tuesday of October, 1765. This was the first general meeting 
of the colonies. Timothy Ruggles, a commissioner from Massa- 
chusetts, was chosen president. In their declaration, they ac- 
knowledged their allegiance to his majesty, and their willing- 
ness to render due honor to the rightful authority of Parliament ; 
but they claimed that they had interests, rights and liberties, aa 
the natural-born subjects of his majesty; and that, as they could 
not be represented in Parliament, that body had no right to 

impose taxes on them, without their consent. They declared 

• 

their frugality and the fruits of their toils, And. believe me, — remember I 
this day told you so, — that the same spirit which actuated that people at 
first will continue with -them still." 

The night after this act passed, Dr. Franklin, who was then in London, 
wrote to Charles Thompson, afterwards secretary of the Continental Con- 
gress, "The sun of liberty is set; the Americans must light the lamps of 
industry and economy." To which Mr. Thompson answered, "Be assured 
we shall light torches quite of another sort;" thus predicting the convulsions 
which were about to follow. 

* The Assembly of Virginia was the first public body that met, after the 
news of the act reached America. Towards the close of the session, seven 
resolutions, chiefly relating to the rights and privileges of the colonies, were 
introduced into the House of Burgesses, by Patrick Henry, a jipung man 
highly distinguished for his moral courage, and bold and manly eloquence. 

The debate on these resolutions was animated, and even violent. Noth- 
ing like them had ever transpired in America. They evinced a settled pur- 
pose of resistance, and conveyed to the ministry of Great Britain a lesson 
which, had they read with unprejudiced minds, might have saved them the 
fruitless struggle of a seven years' war. There were those in the House of 
Burgesses who strongly opposed the resolutions ; but the bold and powerful 
eloquence of Henry bore them down, and carried five of them, though 
only by a majority of one ; the others were not adopted. In the heat 
of the debate, he boldly asserted that the king had acted the part of a 
tyrant; and, alluding to the fate of other tyrants, he exclaimed, " Caesar had 
his Brutus, Charles I. his Cromwell, and George III." — here pausing a 
moment, till the cry of "Treason, treason!" resounding from several parts 
of the house, had ended, — he added, "may profit by their example; if 
this be treason, make the most of it ! " 

The next day, in the absence of Mr. Henry, the fifth resolution was re« 
ecinded; but that, with the others passed, had already gone forth to the 
world. By the friends of freedom they were received with enthusiasm, and 
served to raise still higher the justly indignant feelings of a people whos« 
lights were disregarded. 



RESISTANCE TO THE STAMP ACT. 151 

the stamp act, and other acts of Parliament, to have a manifest 
tendency to subvert the rights and liberties of the colonists. 
This Congress adjourned on the 25th of October ; their proceed- 
ings having been approved by all the members, except Mr. 
Kuggles, of Massachusetts, and Mr. Ogden, of New Jersey. 

18. The stamp act came into operation on the first day of 
November. But on that day not a single sheet, of all the bales 
of stamps, could have been found in the colonies of New Eng- 
land, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the 
two Carolinas. They had either been committed to the flames, 
had been re-shipped to England, or were safely guarded by the 
opposition, into whose hands they had fallen. A general sus- 
pension of all business which required stamped paper was the 
consequence. The printers of newspapers only continued their 
occupation ; alleging, for excuse, that if they had done otherwise, 
the people would have given them such an admonition as they 
little coveted. None would receive the gazettes coming from 
Canada, as they were printed on stamped paper. The courts of 
justice were shut ; even marriages were no longer celebrated ; 
and, in a word, an absolute stagnation in all the relations of 
social life was established.^ 

* It would scarcely be possible to convey an adequate idea of the feelings 
of opposition to this odious act which pervaded the friends of liberty in 
America. As might be expected, these feelings were manifested in various 
riotous proceedings, which not only cannot be justified, but which mar the 
sublime beauty of a people steadily asserting the rights given them by the 
God of nature. 

One morning, about the middle of August, there were discovered two 
effigies hanging on the branch of an old elm, in the southern part of Boston ; 
one of which was designed to represent a stamp-officer, — the other a jack- 
boot, out of which rose a horned head, appearing to look round. 

The novelty of the spectacle soon attracted a multitude to the spot, which 
continued to increase all day. Towards evening, the effigies were taken 
down, placed on a bier, and carried in funeral procession through several 
streets, — a host following, and shouting, "Liberty and property forever ! — ■ 
no stamps ! " At length, arriving in front of a house owned by one Oliver, 
which they supposed was intended for a stamp-office, they demolished it to 
its very foundations. 

From this, they proceeded to his dwelling; but finding Oliver had fled, 
they destroyed his fences, broke open the doors of his dwelling, and greatly 
injured his furniture. Qa the following day, apprehensive of a second visit 
from this lawless multitude, Oliver gave public notice that he had forwarded 
to England his resignation as a stamp-officer. This becoming known by the 
populace, which had assembled to renew the last night's assault, they gave 
three cheers for Oliver, and departed without doing further damage. 

They next proceeded to the mansion of Lieutenant-governor Hutchin- 
son, who, with his family, had barely time to escape. It was now mid- 
night. The work of destruction commenced; and, by four o'clock in tha 
morning, " one of the best-finished houses in the colony had nothing remain- 
ing but the bare walls and floors." The rioters carried off between four 
tnd five thousand dollars, a large quantity of plate, family pictures and 



152 PERIOD IV. — 17TS— 1783. — THE REVOLUTION. 

19. About this time, associations were formed in the colonies, 
under the title of Sons of Libert y, the object of which was, by 
every practicable means, to oppose the unjust and arbitrary meas* 
ures of the British government. Added to this, societies were in- 
stituted, including females as well as males, the members of which 
resolved to forego all the luxuries of life, rather than be indebted 
to the commerce of England. These societies denied themselves 
the use of all foreign articles of clothing ; carding, spinning and 
weaving, became the daily employment of women of fashion ; 
sheep were forbidden to be used as food, lest there should not be 
found a sufficient supply of wool ; and to be dressed in a suit of 
homespun was to possess the surest means of popular distinction. 
And so true were these societies to their mutual compact, that 
the British merchants and manufacturers soon began to feel the 
necessity of uniting with the colonies in petitioning Parliament 
for a repeal of the obnoxious law. 

20. Fortunately for the interests both of the colonies and of 
Great Britain, a change took place, about this time, in the 
administration of England, by which Mr. Pitt, and other friends 
of America, came into power. To this new ministry it was obvious 
that measures must be taken either to repeal the odious statute, 
or compel America to submit by force of arms. The former 
being deemed the wiser course, a motion was made in Parliament 
to that effect ; and though the debate on the question was long 
and angry, it was at length carried ; but only by accompanying 
the repealing act by one called the declaratory act, the language 
of which was that Parliament have, and of right ought to have, 
power to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever. 

21. It was daring the debate on the general question that 
Mr. Pitt, the invariable friend of the colonies, delivered hia 
famous speech on American liberty ; in which he declared it to 
be his opinion that the kingdom had no right to tax the colonies ; 
that he rejoiced that they had resisted, and he hoped that they 
would resist to the last drop of their blood. On learning this 
vote, the transports of the people were ungovernable. Impressed 
with the conviction that they owed their deliverance to Mr. Pitt, 
their gratitude knew no bounds ; when he appeared at the door, 
in the language of Burke, " they jumped upon him, like children 
on a long absent father. They clung to him as captives about 

clothing. Xothing was spared. But, as destruction, and not plunder, waj 
the object of the mob, the street in front of the house, the next morning, 
Was found strewed with the money, plate and rings. 

The opposition of the friends of liberty in other places was manifested bj 
proceedings of a similar kind. 



NEW MODE OF TAXATION. 153 

their redeemer. All England joined in his applause." In the 
House of Peers the opposition to the motion was still obstinate. 
Some of the dukes, and the whole bench of bishops, were for 
forcing the Americans to submit, with fire and sword. 

22. The satisfaction of the colonies, on the repeal of the stamp 
act, was sincere and universal. Elevated with the idea of hav- 
ing removed an odious, and oppressive burden, and believing, 
notwithstanding the declaratory act of Parliament, that the 
right to tax the colonies was at length surrendered, better feel- 
ings were indulged; commercial intercourse was revived, and 
larger importations of goods were made than ever. On the 
meeting of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts, a vote 
of gratitude to the king, and of thanks to Mr. Pitt, the Duke of 
Grafton, and others, was passed by that body. By the House of 
Burgesses, in Virginia, it was resolved to erect a statue in honor 
of the king, and an obelisk in honor of all those, whether of the 
House of Peers or of the Commons, who had distinguished 
themselves in favor of the rights of the colonies. 

23. The enemies of American liberty in England had no 
intention, however, of surrendering their favorite project of 
taxing the colonies. In 1767, another plan was introduced into 
Parliament, namely, an imposition of duties on glass, paper, 
pasteboard, painter's colors, and tea. Mr. Pitt being unable; 
by reason of indisposition, to raise his voice against it, the bill 
passed both houses without much opposition, and received the 
royal assent. At the same time were passed two other acts, — 
the one establishing a new board of custom-house officers in 
America, and the other restraining the Legislature of the 
province of New York from passing any act whatever, until they 
should furnish the king's troops with several required articles. 

24. These three acts reached America at the same time, and 
again excited universal alarm. The first and second were 
particularly odious. The new duties were only a new mode of 
drawing money from the colonies ; and the same strong opposi- 
tion to the measure was exhibited which had prevailed against 
the stamp act. Several of the colonies, through their colonial 
assemblies, expressed their just abhorrence of these enactments, 
and their determination never to submit to them.^ 

* Soon after the establishment of the new board of custom-house officers, 
at Boston, under the above act, a fit occasion presented itself for an expres- 
sion of the public indignation. This was the arrival at that port, in May, 
1768, of the sloop Liberty, belonging to Mr. Hancock, and laden with winel 
from Madeira. 

During the night, most of her cargo was unladen, and put into stores ; on 



154 PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783. — THE REVOLUTION. 

25. The public excitement was soon after increased by the arri- 
val in the harbor of two regiments of troops, under the command 
of Colonel Dalrymple. These were designed to assist the civil 
magistrates in the preservation of peace, and the custom-house 
officers in the execution of their functions. On the day after its 
arrival, the fleet was brought to anchor near Castle William. 
Having taken a station which commanded the town, the troops, 
under cover of the cannon of the ships, landed without molesta- 
tion, and, to the number of upwards of seven hundred men, 
marched, with muskets charged, bayonets fixed, martial music, 
and the usual military parade, on to the common. In the 
evening, the selectmen of Boston were required to quarter the 
two regiments in the town; but they absolutely refused. A 
temporary shelter, however, in Faneuil Hall, was permitted to 
one regiment. 

26. The next day, the state-house, by order of the governor, 
was opened for the reception of the soldiers; and after the 
quarters were settled, two field-pieces, with the main guard, 
were stationed just in its front. Everything was calculated to 
excite the indignation of the inhabitants. The lower floor of 
the state-house, which had been used by merchants as an 
exchange, the representatives' chamber, the court-house, Fan- 
Teuil Hall, were all filled with soldiers. Guards were placed at 
the doors of the state-house, through which the council must 
pass, in going to their chamber. The common was covered with 
tents. Soldiers were constantly marching and countermarching 
to relieve the guards. The sentinels challenged the inhabitants 
as they passed. The Lord's day was profaned, and the devotion 
of the sanctuary disturbed by the sound of drums and other 
military music. 

27. In February, 1769, Parliament went a step beyond all 
that had preceded, in an address to the king, requesting him to 
give orders to the Governor of Massachusetts to take notice 
of such as might be guilty of treason, that they might be sent to 
England and tried there. A measure more odious to the people 

the following day, the sloop was entered at the Custom-house, with a few 
pipes only. A discovery being made of these facts, by the custom-house 
officers, the vessel was seized, and by their order removed alongside of the 
Romney, a ship-of-war then in harbor. The conduct of the custom-house 
officers, in this transaction, aroused the indignant feelings of the Bostonians, 
who unwarrantably attacked the houses 6f the officers, and even assaulted 
their persons. No prosecutions, however, could be sustained, from the excited 
Btate of public feeling. Finding themselves no longer safe in town, the 
officers prudently sought protection on board the Romney, and subsequently 
retired to Castle William. 



BOSTON MASSACRE. 155 

$ America, or more hostile to the British constitution, could 
not be named, than for a man to be torn from his country, to be 
tried by a jury of strangers. 

28. During the session of Parliament, in 1770, a bill was 
introduced abolishing duties imposed by the act of 1767 on all the 
articles, except tea. This partial suspension of the duties served 
to soften the feelings of the Americans ; but the exception in 
relation to tea, it was quite apparent, was designed as a salvo to 
the national honor, and an evidence that the British ministry 
were unwilling to relinquish the right of Parliament to tax the 
colonies. 

29. While affairs were in this posture, an event occurred 
which produced great excitement, especially in Massachusetts. 
This was an affray, on the evening of the 5th of March, 1770, 
between several of the citizens of Boston, and a number of Brit- 
ish soldiers stationed at the custom-house. The quarrel com- 
menced on the 2d inst., at Gray's rope- walk, between a soldier 
and a man employed at the rope- walk. The provocation was 
given by the citizen, and a scuffle ensued, in which the soldier 
was beaten. On the 5th, the soldiers, while under arms, were 
insulted, and dared to fire. One of them, who had received a 
blow, fired at the aggressor ; and a single discharge from six 
others succeeded. Three of the citizens were killed, and five 
dangerously wounded. The town was instantly thrown into the 
greatest commotion ; the bells were rung, and the general cry 
was, " To arms ! " In a short time, several thousands of the 
citizens had assembled, and a scene of blood must have ensued, 
but for the promise of Governor Hutchinson, that the affair 
should be settled to their satisfaction in the morning. Captain 
Preston, who commanded the soldiers, was committed with them 
to prison. Upon their trial, the captain and six soldiers were 
acquitted ; two were convicted of manslaughter. For several 
subsequent years, the evening of the day on which this outrage 
was committed was commemorated by the citizens of Boston ; and 
the event gave occasion for addresses the most warm and 
patriotic, serving to waken up and increase the spirit of the 
Revolution. 

30. During the summer of 1772, another event occurred, 
which presented a fresh obstacle to a reconciliation between 
America and the mother country. This was the destruction, by 
the people of Rhode Island, of a British armed schooner, called 
the Gaspee, which had been stationed in that colony to assist the 
board of customs in the execution of the revenue and trade laws. 
The destruction of the vessel grew out of an odious requisition of 



156 PERIOD IT. — IT 75— 1753.— THE REVOLUTION. 

her commander, upon the masters cf packets, navigating the bay, 
to lower their colors on passing the schooner. On the 9th of June, 
this requisition was made on the captain of the Providence 
packet, as she was sailing into the harbor of Newport. Upon 
his refusal, a shot was fired from the schooner, which imme- 
diately made sail in chase. By dexterous management of thf 
master of the packet, he led the schooner on to a shoal, where sh( 
grounded, and remained fast. At night, a number of fishermen 
headed by several respectable merchants of Providence, rnadi, 
themselves masters of her, and set her on fire. When tih» 
knowledge of this event came to the governor, a reward of five, 
hundred pounds was for the ry of the offender^ 

and the royal pardon to those who would confess their guik 
Commissioners were appointed also to investigate the offence 
and bring the perpetrators to justice. But, after remaining somij 
time in session, they reported that they could obtain no eV.« 
dence, and thus the affair termin:.- 

31. In 1773. an important measure was adopted by most o/ 
the colonies, nan. appointment of committees of correspond 
ence and inquiry, in various parts of their respective territories 
bv means of which a confidential and invaluable interchange o' 
opinions was kept up between the colonies, and great unity o^ 
sentiment was thereby promoted. This measure had its origii 
in Boston, in an assembly of whose citizens a committee wai 
appointed to address the several towns in the colony, and i<3 
urge upon them the importance of an unanimous expression of 
their feelings with regard to the conduct of the British ministry. 
These proceedings being communicated to the House of Bur g Jsses 
in Virginia, that body passed a resolution apj g a committee 

s :>rrespondence and inquiry, whose business it was to obtain the 
most early and authentic inl _ « of the proceedings of the 
British government in i bo the colonies, and to maintain a 

correspondence with the other colonies touching all affairs of 
mutual interest. Similar committee? nee and 

inquiry were appointed by the different colonial assemblies, and 
a confidential interchange of opinion was thus kept up between 
the colonies, and which served greatly to produce unity of Bea 
ment and harmony of action. 

32. During these movements, a plan was devised by the 
British Parliament to introduce tea into the colonies ; little of 
which had, for some time, been imported, from a determination 
not to pay the t iuty upon it. To enable the East India 
1 :np.any to export their teas, which had greatly accumulated in 
their warehouses, the British minister introduced a bill into Pax - 



DESTRUCTION OP TEA. 



157 



liament, allowing the company to export their teas into America, 
with a drawback of all the duties paid in England. As this 
would make the tea cheaper in America than in Great Britain, 
it was presumed that the Americans would pay the small duty 
upon it, which was only three pence. On the passage of this 
bill, therefore, the company made a shipment of large quantities 
of tea to Charleston, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. But, 
before its arrival, the resolution had been formed by the inhab- 
itants of those places that it should not even be landed. The 
cargo destined for Charleston was, indeed, landed and stored, but 
was not permitted to be offered for sale. The vessels which 
brought tea to Philadelphia and New York were compelled to 
return to England, without even having made an entry at the 
custom-house. 

33. It was designed by the leading patriots of Boston to make 
a similar disposition of the cargoes expected at that place ; but, 
on their arrival, the consignees were found to be the relations or 
friends of the governor, and they could not be induced to resign 
their trust. Several town-meetings were held, at which spirited 
resolutions were passed, among which was one, that no consider- 
ations would induce the inhabitants to permit the landing of the 
tea. 




34. It was in this state of things that the citizens of Boston 
again assembled; and while the discussions were going on, a 
14 



158 PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783. — THE REVOLUTION 

captain of a vessel was despatched to the governor to request a 
passport. At length, he returned to say, that the governor 
refused. The meeting was immediately dissolved. A secret 
plan had been formed to mingle the tea with the waters of the 
ocean. Three different parties soon after sallied out, in the cos- 
tume of Mohawk Indians, and precipitately made their way to 
the wharves. At the same time, the citizens were seen in 
crowds directing their course to the same place, to become spec- 
tators of a scene, as novel as the enterprise was bold. Without 
noise, without tumult, the tea was taken from the vessel by the 
conspirators, and expeditiously offered as an oblation " to the 
watery god." 

35. Intelligence of these proceedings being communicated, in 
a message from the throne, to both houses of Parliament, that 
b°dy, by way of retaliation, passed a bill (March 7th, 1774), 
called the " Boston Port Bill," by which that port was pre- 
cluded from the privilege of landing or discharging, or of load- 
ing and shipping goods, wares and merchandise. A second bill 
followed, essentially altering the charter of the province, — 
making the appointment of the council, justices, judges, &c, 
dependent upon the crown, or its agent. To these was added 
a third, authorizing and directing the governor to send any 
person indicted for murder, or any other capital offence, to 
another colony, or to Great Britain, for trial. 

36. » On the arrival of these acts, the town of Boston expressed 
its views in the following vote : " That it is the opinion of this 
town, that, if the other colonies come into a joint resolution to 
stop all importation from Great Britain and the West Indies, 
till the act for blocking up this harbor be repealed, the same 
will prove the salvation of North America and her liberties." 
Copies of this vote were transmitted to each of the colonies ; and 
as an expression of their sympathy with the people of Boston in 
their distress, the House of Burgesses, in Virginia, ordered that 
the day on which the Boston port bill was to take effect should 
be observed as a day of fasting and prayer.^ 

37. During these transactions in Massachusetts, measures had 
been taken to convene a Continental Congress. On the 4th of 
September, 1774, deputies from eleven colonies met at Phila- 
delphia, and elected Peyton Randolph, the then late speaker of 

* The words "Whigs and Tories were about this ti ie introduced, as the 
distinguishing names of parties. By the former was meant those who 
favored the cause of Boston, and were zealous in supporting the colonies 
against the Parliament ; by the latter was meant the favorers of Grea* 
Britain. 



PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY. 159 

the Virginia assembly, president, and Charles Thompson secret 
tary. During its session, this body agreed upon a declaration 
of their rights; recommended the non-importation of British 
goods into the country, and the non-exportation of American 
produce to Great Britain, so long as their grievances were 
unredressed. They also voted an address to his majesty, and like- 
wise one to the people of Great Britain, and another to the 
French inhabitants of Canada.^ 

38. On the 5th of October following, General Gage sum- 
moned a meeting of the provincial assembly ; but, before that 
period arrived, judging their meeting inexpedient, he counteracted 
the writs of convocation. The assembly, however, to the num- 
ber of ninety, met at Salem, where, the governor not attending, 
they adjourned to Concord. Here, having chosen John Hancock 
president, they adjourned to Cambridge, where they drew up a 
plan for the immediate defence of the province, by enlisting men, 
appointing general officers, &c. In November, this assembly again 
met, and resolved to equip twelve" thousand men, to act in any 
emergency ; and to enlist one-fourth part of the militia as minute- 
men. At the same time, a request was forwarded to Connecti- 
cut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, jointly to increase this 
army to twenty thousand men. 

39. On the opening of the following year (January 7th), Lord 
Chatham, Mr. Pitt, after a long retirement, resumed his seat in 
the House of Lords, and introduced a conciliatory bill, the object 
of which was to settle the troubles in America. But the efforts 
of this venerable and peace-making man wholly failed, the bill 
not only being rejected by a large majority, but its rejection was 

* The Congress of 1774 has justly been celebrated, from that time to the 
present; and its celebrity will continue while wisdom finds admirers, and 
patriotism is regarded with veneration. Both at home and abroad, they 
were spoken of in terms of the highest admiration. Abroad, the Earl of 
Chatham, in one of his brilliant speeches, remarked of them : " History, 
my lords, has been my favorite study; and in the celebrated writings of 
antiquity have I often admired the patriotism of Greece and Rome; but, my 
lords, I must declare and avow, that, in the master states of the world, I 
know not the people or senate who, in such a complication of difficult circum« 
Btances, can stand in preference to the delegates of America assembled in 
General Congress at Philadelphia." At home, they were celebrated by « 
native and popular bard, in an equally elevated strain: 

" Now meet the fathers of this western clime ; 

Nor names more noble graced the rolls of fame, 
When Spartan firmness braved the wrecks of time, 
Or Latian virtue fanned the heroic flame. 

" Not deeper thought the immortal sage inspired, 
On Solon's lips when Grecian senates hung ; 
Nor manlier eloquence the bosom fired, 
When genius thundered from the Athenian tongue.'* 



160 PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783. — THE REVOLUTION. 

followed, the next day, by the passage of a bill to restrain the 
trade of the New England provinces, and to forbid their fishing 
on the banks of Newfoundland. Soon after, restrictions were 
imposed upon the middle and southern colonies, with the excep- 
tion of New York, Delaware, and North Carolina. This bill, 
designed to promote disunion among the colonies, happily failed 
of its object. 

40. We have thus given a succinct account of the system of 
measures adopted by the ministry of England toward the 
American colonies, after the peace of 1763, — measures most 
unfeeling and unjust, but which no petitions, however respectful, 
and no remonstrances, however loud, could change. Satisfied of 
this, justice permitted the people, and self-respect and self-pres- 
ervation loudly summoned them, to resist by force. The crisis, 
therefore, had now arrived ; the signal of war was given, and the 
blood shed at Lexington opened the scene. 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1775. 



Battle of Lexington. 
Reduction of Ticonderoga. 
Battle of Bunker's Hill. 
Capitulation of St. Johns and 
Montreal. 



Repulse at Quebec, — Death of 

Montgomery. 
Cessation of Royal Government 

in the Colonies. 



1. Learning that a large quantity of military stores had been 
collected by the Americans at Concord, General Gage,^ the 
king's governor, detached Lieutenant Smith and Major Pitcairn, 
with eight hundred grenadiers, to destroy them. Meanwhile, 
the greatest precaution was taken by Governor Gage to prevent 
the intelligence of this expedition from reaching the country. 
Officers were dispersed along* the road, to intercept expresses 
who might be sent from Boston. But the precaution proved 
ineffectual. The alarm was given, and was rapidly spread by 
means of church-bells, guns, and volleys. 

2. On reaching Lexington, on the morning of the 19th of 
April, some seventy of the militia had assembled, and were 
under arms. On seeing them on the parade, near the church. 
Major Pitcairn rode up to them, and, with a loud voice, cried 
out, " Disperse, disperse, you rebels ! throw down your arms, and 

* General Thomas Gage was born about the year 1721. He entered fche 
army young. He succeeded Governor Hutchinson as Governor of Massa- 
chusetts Bay. He took strong and decided measures, and hastened the 
Revolution. In October, 1775, he resigned his command to Sir William 
Howe. His death occurred in 17SS. 



RENCONTRE AT LEXINGTON. 



161 



disperse ! n The sturdy yeomanry not immediately obeying hia 
orders, he approached nearer, discharged his pistol, and ordered 
his soldiers to fire ; upon which, eight were killed, and several 
wounded. From Lexington, the detachment proceeded to Con- 
cord, and destroyed the stores. After killing several of the mili- 
tia, who came forth to oppose them, they retreated to Lexington 




with some loss, the Americans firing upon them from behind 
walls, hedges, and buildings. 

3. Fortunately for the British, a reinforcement of nine hun- 
dred men, some marines, and two field-pieces, here came to their 
assistance ; but, being greatly annoyed by the patriots, they con- 
iinued their retreat to Bunker's Hill, in Charlestown, and the 
lay following crossed over to Boston. The British lost, in killed 
and wounded, during their absence, two hundred and seventy- 
three. The loss of the Americans amounted to eighty-eight, 
killed, wounded, and missing. Thus flowed the first blood of 
the Revolution, — shed wantonly, but which was poured out 
freely on the altar of American liberty ; firing the bosoms of 
thousands, as the intelligence spread, and rousing them to defend 
their country against British tyranny and oppression. 

4. It was at once decided to be important to secure the fort- 
resses at Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Accordingly, a num- 
ber of volunteers, from Connecticut and Vermont, under com- 
mand of Colonels Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold, marched 
against Ticonderoga, and, on the 10th of May, took it by sur« 

14* 



162 



PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783. — THE REVOLUTION, 



prise, the garrison being asleep. On the arrival of Allen, b« 
demanded the surrender of the fort. " By what authority ? " 
asked the commander. " I demand it," said Allen, " in the 
name of the great Jehovah, and of the Continental Congress.'* 




The summons was instantly obeyed, and the fort was, with its 
valuable stores, surrendered. The capture of Crown Point soon 
followed. 

5. In June following (17), a still more memorable event 
occurred, — Tile Battle of Bunker's Hill, as it is commonly 
called ; or of Breed's Hill, where the battle was actually fought, 
— a high eminence in Charlestown, within cannon-shot of Bos- 
ton. The evening preceding, a detachment of one thousand 
Americans was ordered to make an intrenchment on Bunker's 
Hill ; but, by some mistake, they proceeded to Breed's Hill, and, 
by the dawn of day, had thrown up a redoubt eight rods square 
and four feet high. On 'discovering this redoubt in the morn- 
ing, the British commenced a severe cannonade upon it from 
several ships and floating batteries, and from a fortification on 
Copp's Hill, in Boston, which was continued until afternoon. 
The Americans, however, urged on their defences, and, during 
the forenoon, lost but a single man. Between twelve and one 
o'clock, three thousand British* under command of Major-gene- 
ral Howe and Brigadier-general Pigot, crossed Charles river, 
with an intention to dislodge the Americans. As they advanced, 
the British commenced firing at some distance from the redoubt ; 



BATTLE OF BUNKER'S HILL. 



163 



but the Americans reserved their fire until the enemy weie 
within twelve rods. They then opened, and the carnage was 
terrible. The British retreated in precipitate confusion, but 
were rallied, and again led to the attack. The Americans now 
Buffered them to approach within six rods, when their fire mowed 
them down in heaps, and again they fled. 

6. Unfortunately for the Americans, their ammunition now 
failed ; and, on the third charge of the British, they were obliged 




to retire. The British lost in this engagement two hundred and 
twenty-six killed, — among whom was Major Pitcairn, who first 
lighted the torch of war at Lexington, — and eight hundred and 
twenty-eight wounded. The Americans lost one hundred and 
thirty-nine killed, and of wounded and missing there were three 
hundred and fourteen. Among the killed was the lamented 
General Warren. 

7. The horrors of the scene were greatly increased by the 
conflagration of Charlestown, effected, during the heat of the bat- 
tle, by order of General Gage. By this wanton act of barbarity, 
two thousand people were deprived of their habitations, and prop- 
erty to the amount of one hundred and twenty thousand pounds 
Sterling perished in the flames. Wanton, however, as the burn- 
ing was, it wonderfully enhanced the dreadful magnificence of 
the day. To the volleys of musketry and the roar of cannon, — 
to the shouts of the fighting and the groans of the dying, — to 
the dark and awful atmosphere of smoke, enveloping the whole 
peninsula, and illumined in every quarter by the streams of fira 



164 



PEEIOD IV. — 1775—1783. — THE REVOLUTION. 



from the various instruments of death, — the conflagration of si? 
hundred buildings added a gloomy and amazing grandeur. In 
the midst of this waving lake of flame, the lofty steeple, con- 
verted into a blazing pyramid, towered and trembled over the 
vast pyre, and finished the scene of desolation. To the Ameri- 




cans the consequences of this battle were those of a decided vic- 
tory. They learned that their enemies were not invincible. 
At the same time, they were made to feel the importance of 
stricter discipline and greater preparations. As the result of 
the battle spread, the national pulse beat still higher, and the 
arm of opposition was braced still more firmly. 

8. On the 10th of May, a second session of the Continental 
Congress was held at Philadelphia. As military opposition to 
Great Britain was now resolved upon by the colonies, and had 
actually commenced, it became necessarv to fix upon a proper 
person to conduct that opposition. The person unanimously 
selected by Congress was George Washington, a member of 
their body from Virginia.^ Following the appointment of Gen« 



* The honor of having suggested and advocated the choice of this illustri- 
ous man is justly ascribed to the elder President Adams, at that time a 
member of the Continental Congress. The army was at this time at Cam- 
bridge, Massachusetts, under General Ward. As yet, Congress had not 
adopted the army, nor had it taken any measures to appoint a commander- 
in-chief. These points could with safety be neglected no longer. This Mr 
Adams clearly saw, and by his eloquence induced Congress to appoint a daj 
when the subject should be discussed. 



CAPITULATION OF MONTREAL. 165 

eral Washington was the appointment of four major-generals, 
Artemas Ward, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler, and Israel Put- 
nam; and eight brigadier-generals, Seth Pomeroy, Richard 
Montgomery, David Wooster, William Heath, Joseph Spencer, 
John Thomas, John Sullivan, and Nathaniel Greene. 

9. On his arrival at Cambridge, on the second of July, 
Washington was received with joyful acclamations by the Ameri- 
can army. He found it, consisting of fourteen thousand men, 
stretched from Boxbury to Cambridge, and thence to Mystic 
river, a distance of twelve miles ; while the British forces occu- 
pied Bunker and Breed's Hill, and Boston Neck. 

10. The attention of the American commander was immedi- 
ately directed to organizing his undisciplined forces ; and while 
so employed, Generals Schuyler and Montgomery proceeded with 
one thousand men to the investment of St. Johns, the first Brit- 
ish port in Canada (one hundred and fifteen miles north of 
Ticonderoga). On reaching St. Johns, the health of Schuyler 
failing, he returned to the latter place, while Montgomery took 
possession of the former important post on the 3d of November. 
Next, he proceeded to Montreal, which having capitulated without 
resistance, he continued his route towards Quebec. Before his 
arrival, however, Colonel Arnold, who had been despatched by 

The day was fixed. It came. Mr. Adams went in, took the floor, urged 
the measure of adopting the army; and, after debate, it passed. The next 
thing was to get a lawful commander for this lawful army, with supplies, 
&c. All looked to Mr. Adams, on this occasion; and he was ready. He 
took the floor, and went into a minute delineation of the character of Gen- 
eral Ward, bestowing on him the epithets which then belonged to no one 
else. At the end of this eulogy, he said, " But this is not the man I have 
chosen." He then portrayed the character of a commander-in-chief such 
as was required by the peculiar situation of the colonies at that juncture ; 
and after he had presented the qualifications in his strongest language, and 
given the reasons for the nomination he was about to make, he said, " Gen- 
tlemen, I know these qualifications are high ; but we all know they are need- 
ful, at this crisis, in this cmef. Does any one say that they are not to be 
obtained in the country ? I reply, they are : they reside in one of our own 
body, and he is the person whom I now nominate — George Washington, of 
Virginia!" 

Washington, who sat on Mr. Adams' right hand, was looking him intently 
in the face, to watch the name he was about to announce; and, not expecting 
it would be his own, he sprang from his seat, the moment he heard it, and 
rushed into an adjoining room, as quickly as though moved by a shock of 
electricity. 

An adjournment was immediately moved and carried, in order to give the 
members time to deliberate on so important a measure. The following day, 
Washington was unanimously appointed commander-in-chief of the American 
forces; and, on presenting their commission to him, Congress unanimously 
adopted the resolution, "that they would maintain and assist him, and 
adhere to him, with their lives and fortunes, in the cause of American lib* 
erty." 



166 PERIOD IV. — 1775—1783. — THE REVOLUTION. 

Washington, with one thousand men, from Cambridge, had 
reached that capital by the way of the river Kennebec, 1 * and 
had already ascended the Heights of Abraham, where the brave 
Wolfe had ascended before him; but he had retreated some 
twenty miles distant, and was here awaiting the arrival of 
Montgomery. 

11. As soon as a junction had been effected between these 
generals, they proceeded to lay siege to the city. At the expira- 
tion of a month, finding no prospect of success, the plan was 
adopted of scaling the walls. For this purpose, two attacks were 
made, at the same time, in different quarters of the town. The 
attempt, however, proved unsuccessful ; and, to the great grief of 
the Americans, fatal to the brave Montgomery.! He fell while 
forcing a barrier ; and with him fell two distinguished officers, 
Captain McPherson, his aid, and Captain Cheeseman. Upon 
this repulse, Arnold retired a short distance from Quebec, where, 
in an encampment, he passed a rigorous winter. On the return 
of spring, 1776, finding his forces inadequate to the reduction 
of Quebec, he retired. -By the 18th of June, the Americans, 
having been compelled to relinquish one post after another, had 
wholly evacuated Canada. 

12. During this same year, Virginia, through the indiscretion 
of Lord Dunmore, the royal governor, was involved in difficulties 
little short of those to which the inhabitants of Massachusetts 
were subjected. From the earliest stages of the controversy 

* Seldom was there an expedition attempted, during the American war, in 
which more hardship was endured. In ascending the Kennebec, the troops 
were constantly obliged to work against an impetuous current, and often to 
haul their batteaux up rapid currents and over dangerous falls. Nor was 
their march through the country, by an unexplored route of three hundred 
miles, less difficult or dangerous. They had swamps and woods, mountains 
and precipices, alternately to surpass. Added to their other trials, their 
provisions failed; and, to support life, they were obliged to eat their dogs, 
eartouch-boxes, clothes, and shoes. While at the distance of one hundred 
miles from human habitations, they divided their whole store, about four 
pints of flour to a man. At thirty miles' distance, they had baked and 
eaten their last pitiful morsel. Yet the courage and fortitude of these men 
continued unshaken. They were suffering in their country's cause, — were 
toiling for wives and children, were contending for the rights and blessings 
of freedom. After thirty -one days of incessant toil through a hideous wild- 
erness, they reached the habitations of men. 

t Richard Montgomery was born in the north of Ireland, in 1737. He 
possessed an excellent genius, which was matured by a fine education. lie 
entered the array of Great Britain, and was with Wolfe at the surrender of 
Quebec, in 1759. But he espoused the cause of freedom; and in that cause 
he fell, deplored by all. In 1818, New York, his adopted state, removed his 
remains to her own metropolis, where a monument has been erected to ki* 
memory. 



EVACUATION OF BOSTON. 167 

with Great Britain, the Virginians had been in the foremost 
rank of opposition ; and, in common with other provinces, had 
taken measures for defence. These measures the royal governor 
attempted to thwart, by the removal of guns and ammunition, 
stored by the people in a magazine. The conduct of the gov- 
ernor roused the inhabitants, and occasioned intemperate expres- 
sions of resentment. Apprehending personal danger, Lord 
Dunmore retired on board the Fowey man-of-war, from which 
he issued his proclamation, instituting martial law, and proffer- 
ing freedom to such slaves as would repair to the royal 
standard. Here, also, by degrees, he equipped and armed 
a number of vessels ; and, upon being refused provisions by the 
provincials from on shore, he proceeded to reduce the town of 
Norfolk to ashes. The loss was estimated at three hundred 
thousand pounds sterling. Nearly six thousand persons were 
deprived of their habitations. In like manner, the royal governors 
of North and South Carolina thought it prudent to retire, and 
seek safety on board men-of-war. Royal government generally 
terminated this year throughout the country, the king's governors, 
for the most part, abdicating their governments, and taking 
refuge on board the English shipping. 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1776. 



Evacuation of Boston. 
Defence of Fort Moultrie. 
Declaration of Independence. 
Occupation of New York by 

Washington. 
Arrival of Royal Troops. 
Failure of Negotiations. 
Battle on Long Island. 



Execution of Hale. 

British Occupation of N. York. 

Battle of White Plains. 

Retreat of Washington. 

Surrender of Forts Washington 
and Lee. 

Battles of Trenton and Prince- 
ton. 



1. In the spring of 1776, General Washington proposed the 
expulsion of the British army from Boston, by direct assault. 
But, in a council of war, it was judged expedient rather to take 
possession of and fortify Dorchester Heights, which commanded 
the harbor and British shipping. Accordingly, in the evening 
of the 4th of March, a covering party of eight hundred, followed 
by a working party of twelve hundred, with intrenching tools, 
took possession of the heights, unobserved by the enemy ; and, 
by morning, had constructed fortifications, which completely 
sheltered them. The English admiral, on examining the works, 
declared that if the Americans were not dislodged from theii 



168 PERIOD IV. — 1775-1783. — THE REVOLUTION. 

position, his vessels could no longer remain in safety in the 
harbor. It was determined, therefore, by the British, to evacu- 
ate Boston ; and, on the 17th of March, the troops, under com- 
mand of Lord William Howe, successor of General Gage, sailed 
for Halifax.^ 

2. While affairs were proceeding thus at the north, a plan 
was devised for the reduction of Charleston, South Carolina, by 
the united forces of General Clinton from New York, and a 
large squadron, directly from England, having on board two 
thousand five hundred troops, under Sir Peter Parker. Chai Wes- 
ton had been fortified; and a rude fort erected on Sullivan's 
Island, six miles below, and commanding the channel leading to 
the town. The garrison of the fort consisted of only about four 
hundred men, under command of Colonel Moultrie. On the 
fort were mounted twenty-six cannon, of eighteen and nine 
pounders. On the 28th of June, a strong force, under General 
Clinton, advanced against the fort ; while the British squadron, 
consisting of two fifty-gun ships, and four frigates, each of twenty- 
eight guns, besides smaller vessels, commenced a bombardment, 
which continued from eleven o'clock in the morning till seven in 
the evening. But, to the great mortification of the British, they 
were repulsed, with signal injury to their shipping, and with the 
loss of nearly two hundred men, while the loss of the Americans 
was but ten killed and twenty-two wounded. By this repulse 
of the British, the Southern States obtained a respite from the 
calamities of war for two years and a half.t 

* The rear guard of the British was scarcely out of the town, when "Washing- 
ton entered it on the other side, with colors displayed, drums beating, and all 
the forms of victory and triumph. He was received by the inhabitants with 
demonstrations of joy and gratitude. Sixteen months had the people suffered 
the distresses of hunger, and the outrages of an insolent soldiery. 

The town presented a melancholy spectacle at the time the army of "Wash- 
ington entered. One thousand five hundred loyalists, with their families, had 
just departed on board the British fleet, tearing themselves from home and 
friends, for the love of the royal cause. Churches were stripped of pews and 
benches for fuel, shops were opened and rifled of goods to clothe the army, 
and houses had been pillaged by unfeeling soldiery. 

f The fort on SuHi van's Island was a square pen, constructed by Colonel 
Moultrie, of palmetto logs. General Lee, who was appointed to the command 
at the south, arrived just after the fort was finished ; and, in derision, called 
\t a " Slaughter Pen," and requested Governor Kutledge to have it immedi- 
ately evacuated. This, however, the latter declined, and Moultrie determined 
to stand the siege. 

The day of attack was bright and beautiful. The wind being fair, the 
British fleet came proudly on, and one after another took the stations assigned 
them. Never, perhaps, were hopes brighter or more sanguine than those 
of the British. Like Prescott at the battle of Bunker's Hill, however, Moul- 
trie directed the men to wait his orders. At length, these orders came. The 



INDEPENDENCE DECLARED. 169 

3. During these transactions in the south, the Continental 
Congress was in session, deeply engaged in discussing, among 
other important subjects, that of declaring America free and inde- 
pendent. Pursuant to the general wish, on the 8th of June, 
Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, introduced a resolution to that 
effect, and supported it, as did others, with great force. Oa 
the 11th, a committee was appointed to draft a declaration, con- 
sisting of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, 
Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. 

4. Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Adams, standing at the head of the 
committee, were requested by the other members to act as a 
sub-committee to prepare the draft ; and Mr. Jefferson drew up 
the paper. The honor of it, therefore, belongs to Mr. Jefferson. 
Some changes were made in it on the suggestion of other mem- 
bers of the committee; and others by Congress, while it was 
under discussion. But none of them altered the general char- 
acter of the instrument. While Mr. Jefferson was the author 
of the declaration itself, Mr. Adams was its great supporter on 
the floor of Congress. This was the unequivocal testimony 
of Mr. Jefferson. " John Adams," said he, on one occasion, 
" was our Colossus on the floor : not graceful, not elegant, not 
always fluent in his public addresses, he yet came out with a 
power, both of thought and of expression, that moved us from 
our seats." And at another time he said, " John Adams was 
the pillar of its support on the floor of Congress; its ablest 
advocate and defender against the multifarious assaults which 
were made against it." 

5. On the arrival of the day assigned, the subject was resumed ; 
and, on the 4th of July, 1776, upon the report of the foregoing 

fire on both sides was terrible. But the old " Slaughter Pen " held out, and 
deal^t death and destruction on every side. Lee, from a distance, watched 
Moultrie's movements, and was amazed. Moultrie himself, after the first 
onset, lighted his pipe, and rolled forth volumes of smoke, while his guns 
rolled forth their balls amid volumes of fire. 

Among Moultrie's garrison was a Sergeant Jasper. In the warmest of the 
contest, the flag-staff of the fort was shot away, and fell to the outside of the 
ramparts, on the beach. To recover it was a most perilous enterprise. But, 
nothing daunted, Jasper leaped upon the beach, and, running the entire 
length of the ramparts, picked it up amidst a shower of balls, and placed it 
again upon the parapet. On visiting the fort, a few days after, Governor Rut- 
ledge took his sword from his side, and presented it to Jasper, as a reward for 
his heroic conduct ; following this, the accomplished Mrs. Elliot presented a 
pair of elegant colors to the regiment of Moultrie. These colors were, at a sub- 
sequent day, at the siege of Savannah. There, as at Fort Moultrie, they were 
ahot down ; and, in an attempt to replace them, Jasper was mortally wounded. 
i T et, while he still lived, he sent the sword presented to him to his father, 
and to Mrs. Elliot this message : "Tell her that I lost my life supporting 
the colors which she presented to my regiment." 

15 



170 PERIOD IV. — 1775—1783. ~ THE REVOLUTION. 

committee, thirteen confederate colonies dissolved their allegiance 
to the British crown, and declared themselves free and inde- 
pendent, under the name of the thirteen United States of 
Amerisa. This declaration was ordered to be handsomely 
engrossed on parchment ; and, on the 2nd of August, 1776, was 
signed by all the members then present, and by some who were 
not members on the 4th of July.^ It was then published 
abroad, and was everywhere received with transports of joy. 
The ensigns of royalty were now destroyed, public processions 
were made, bells were rung, cannon were fired, with other 
suitable demonstrations of public exultation. 

6. On taking possession of Boston, following the evacuation 
of it by the British (p. 168), Washington proceeded to place it 
in a posture of defence; which having accomplished, early in 
April he moved, with his main army, to New York, in antici- 
pation of an attempt on the part of the British to occupy it them- 
selves. For greater security, he stationed a considerable force at 

* A signature to this instrument was an act of serious concern. In Eng- 
land, it would be regarded as treason, and expose any man to the halter tr 
the block. This the signers well knew; yet they proceeded to the trans- 
action, prepared, if defeat should follow, to lead, without repining, in the way 
to martyrdom. The only signature, on the original document, which 
exhibits indications of a trembling hand, is that of Stephen Hopkins ; but he 
had been afflicted with the palsy. In this work of treason, John Hancock 
led the way, as President of the Congress; and by the force with which he 
wrote, he seems to have determined that his name should never be erased. 
The pen with which these signatures were made has been preserved, and ia 
now in the cabinet of the Massachusetts Historical Society. 

The number who signed the Declaration was fifty-six; and the average 
length of their lives was about sixty-five years. Four of the number 
attained to the age of ninety years and upwards ; fourteen exceeded eighty 
years; and twenty-three, or one in two and a half, reached threescore and 
ten. The longevity of the New England delegation was still more remark- 
able. Their number was fourteen, the average of whose lives was seventy- 
five years. "Who will affirm that the unusual age to which the signers, as a 
body, attained, was not a reward bestowed upon them for their fidelity to 
their country, and the trust which they in general reposed in the overruling 
providence of God 1 Who can doubt the kindness of that Providence to the 
American people, in thus prolonging the lives of these men, till the princi- 
ples for which they had contended, through a long series of years, had been 
(acknowledged, and a government been founded upon them 1 

Of this venerable body not a single one survives. They are now no 
more. They are no more, as in 1770, bold and fearless advocates of inde- 
pendence. They are dead. But how little is there of the great and good 
which can die! To their country they yet live, and live forever. They live 
in all that perpetuates the remembrance of men on earth; in the recorded 
proofs of their own great actions, in the offspring of their own great interest, 
in the deep-engraved lines of public gratitude, and in the respect and 
homage of mankind. They live in ineir example ; and they live emphati- 
cally, and will live, in the influence which their lives and efforts, their prin- 
ciples and opinions, now exercise, and will continue to exercise, on the affair* 
»f men, not only in our own country, but throughout the civilized world 



BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND, 171 

Brooklyn, on Long Island, while the remainder took post in the 
city itself. Washington's aggregate number now was seventeen 
thousand men. 

7. As to the design of the British general the patriot chief 
was not mistaken ; for, in June, General Howe ^ arrived from 
Halifax, and on the 2d of July took possession of Staten Island. 
Soon after, he was joined by his brother, Admiral Howe, from 
England, and by the forces under Clinton,! from the south, 
making in all the formidable force of twenty-four thousand 
veteran troops. The object of this movement was, besides keep- 
ing possession of New York, to command the Hudson, and thus 
to communicate with Canada, and also to separate the eastern 
and western colonies from acting in concert. 

8. While the armies were in this relative position, Admiral 
and General Howe addressed a letter to " George Washington, 
Esq.," informing him that they were commissioned by the home 
government to settle existing difficulties between Great Britain 
and her colonies ; but, as the letter did not recognize the official 
title of Washington, he declined receiving it. Their powers, 
however, it was subsequently ascertained, were altogether inade- 
quate to the important object proposed. 

9. Having thus failed in their attempts at negotiation, the, 
British generals decided upon a direct and powerful attack of 
the Americans on Long Island, now under command of General 
Putnam. This attack was made on the 27th of August, and 
resulted in the loss to the Americans of one thousand men, while 
the loss of the British did not much exceed four hundred. The 
American Generals Sullivan, Sterling and Woodhull, were 
among the prisoners. In the heat of the engagement, General 
Washington crossed over to Brooklyn ; and, on seeing some of his 
best troops slaughtered or taken, he uttered, it is said, an exclam- 
ation of anguish. But, deep as his anguish was, and much an 
he wished to succor his troops, prudence forbade the calling in 
of his forces from New York, as they would by no means have 
sufficed to render his army equal to that of the English. 

10. After the sad repulse at Brooklyn, perceiving the occu- 
pation of his position on Long Island to be of no probable 
importance, Washington withdrew his troops to New York, and 
soon after evacuated the city ; upon which, on the 15th of Sep- 

* Sir William Howe was a fine figure, — full six feet high, and admirably 
well proportioned. In person he strongly resembled Washington. His 
manners were polished, graceful, and dignified. 

f Sir Henry Clinton was short and fat, with a full face, prominent nose, 
and animated countenance. In his manners he was polite and courtly, but 
more formal and distant than Howe. 



172 PERIOD IV —1775— 1783. — THE REVOLUTION. 

teml>er, the British entered it. Seldom, if ever, was a retreal 
conducted with more ability and prudence, or under more favor- 
able auspices, than that of the American troops from Long 
Island. The necessary preparations having been made, at eight 
in the evening of the 29th the troops began to move in the 
greatest silence. But they were not on board their vessels before 
eleven. A violent north-east wind, and the ebb tide, which 
rendered the current very rapid, for a time prevented the pas- 
sage ; but, fortunately, the wind suddenly veered in their favor, 
and enabled them to reach the opposite side. About two o'clock 
in the morning, a thick fog (and, at that season of the year, 
extraordinary) covered all Long Island, whereas the air was 
perfectly clear on the side of New York. Notwithstanding the 
entreaties of his officers, Washington remained the last upon the 
shore. It was not till the next morning, when the sun was 
already high, and the fog dispelled, that the English perceived 
the Americans had abandoned their camp, and were sheltered 
from pursuit. 

11. On retiring from New York, Washington occupied, for a 
short time, the heights of Harlem ; but, finding his position, at 
that point, too hazardous, he removed, and, with a part of his 
forces, took post at White Plains. The British followed, and 
on the 28th of October a partial engagement ensued, during 
which several hundreds fell on both sides, but neither party 
could claim a decided advantage. 

12. About the time that Washington and his army took post 
at Harlem, it was deemed important to ascertain the state of the 
British army on Long Island. For this purpose, Captain Nathan 
Hale, a young officer of liberal education and accomplished man- 
ners, volunteered his services. He entered the British army 
in disguise, and obtained the information desired; but, on his 
return, he was apprehended, and sent to General Howe, who 
delivered him to the cruel Marshal Cunningham, by whom he 
was ordered to execution without a trial. He was not allowed 
a Bible, nor the attendance of a minister. His last observation, 
at the place of execution, was, " that he only lamented that he 
had but one life to lose for his country." 

13. Although not defeated, Washington wisely removed his 
forces to North Castle, about five miles further north. As the 
British general indicated an intention of attacking the American 
posts on the Hudson, with a view to penetrating into New Jer- 
Bey, Washington, leaving three thousand troops with Colonel 
Magraw, for the defence of Fort Washington, crossed the Hud 



N°5 








RETREAT THROUGH NEW JERSEY. 173 

son, and joined General Greene, in his camp, at Fort Lee.* On 
the 16th of November, the former of these fortresses was attacked 
by a strong force ; and although the defence made by Colonel 
Magraw was resolute, he was compelled to surrender to the 
enemy, one thousand of whom, however, had been killed in the 
assault. Two days after, Lord Cornwallis t crossed the Hudson, 
with six thousand men, and proceeded against Fort Lee. For- 
tunately, the garrison had opportunity to escape, and effected a 
iunction with Washington, who, meanwhile, had retreated to 
Newark, on the south side of the Passaic. 

14. Finding Newark, however, too near his triumphant foe, 
Washington next retreated to Brunswick, on the Raritan, and 
Lord Cornwallis on the same day entered Newark. The retreat 
was still continued from Brunswick to Princeton, from Prince- 
ton to Trenton, and from Trenton to the Pennsylvania side of 
the Delaware, the pursuit being urged with so much rapidity 
that the rear of the American army, while engaged in demolish- 
ing the bridges which they had crossed, was often within sight 
and shot of the van of the enemy, employed in building them up. 

15. This retreat through New Jersey was made under circum- 
stances of the deepest depression. The Americans had just lost 
the two forts, Washington and Lee, and with the former nearly 
three thousand men. Numbers of the militia were daily claiming 
to be discharged ; and ewsn the regular troops, as if struck with 
despair, deserted in bodies. This left the army of Washington 
60 reduced, that it scarcely amounted to three thousand men ; and 
even these were poorly fed, were without tents to shelter them 
from the inclemency of the season, and in the midst of a popula- 
tion even hostile to the republic. Added to this, numbers of the 
leading characters, both in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, were 
changing sides, and making peace with the enemy. This exam- 

le became pernicious, and the most prejudicial effects were to 

e apprehended from it. But, in the midst of so much adversity, 

Washington did not seem to despair of the public safety. On 

the contrary, as darkness hovered around, he trimmed more care- 

* Fort Washington was on the east bank of the Hudson, eleven miles 
above New York. Fort Lee was on the west side of the Hudson, and ten 
miles from the city. It stood on a rocky summit, three hundred feet above 
the river. 

t In person, Lord Cornwallis was short and thick set, but not so corpulent 
as Sir Henry Clinton. He had a handsome nose ; his hair, when young, was 
light, and rather inclined to sandy; but at the time of his leaving, after 
the important and decisive battle of Yorktown, it had become somewhat gray. 
He winked badly with ona eye. He was uncommonly easy and affable in 
his manners. He was a great friend to his country's cause, and a most 
determined foe to America. 

15* 



174 



PERIOD IV. — 1775—1783. — THE REVOLUTION . 



fully the lamp of hope ; and while the hearts of others sunk ia 
despondency, he manifested the greater firmness, constancy, and 
fortitude. 

16. The object next aimed at by the British general was the 
occupation of Philadelphia ; and the only obstacle which pre- 
vented it was the position of Washington, on the Pennsylvania 
side of the Delaware. While waiting for the freezing of that 
river, to allow him to cross, the British general placed about 
four thousand German troops along the river from Trenton to 
Burlington, while strong; detachments were stationed at Prince- 
ton and New Brunswick. The remainder of the British army 
were scattered about the villages of New Jersey. 

17. In this state of things, Washington conceived the plan 
of re-crossing the Delaware, and of attacking, the German troops 
stationed at Trenton so suddenly as not to allow them the assist- 
ance of the main body. Accordingly, on the night of the 25th 
of December, the American troops detached for this service, 
consisting of two thousand four hundred men, arrived in the 




dusk of the evening at the bank of the river. The passage by 
the troops and artillery, it was expected, would be effected before 
midnight. But the cold was so intense, and the river so 
obstructed with floating ice, that the landing of the artillery was 
not accomplished, until four in the morning. An immediate and 
precipitate march was made towards Trenton, with the hope of 



VICTORIES OF TRENTON AND PRINCETON 175 

reaching it before day. But a thick fog setting in, so retarded 
their march, that they did not reach Trenton until eight o'clock ; 
yet, at this late hour, the Hessians had no suspicion of the 
approach of the enemy. Incapable, therefore, of making any 
defence, and hemmed in on all sides, they were obliged to sur- 
render, to the number of nearly one thousand. Some thirty or 
forty were killed, among whom was a Colonel Rahl, the command- 
ing officer. 

18. To the American cause, the success at Trenton was as 
auspicious as it was mortifying to the British. To regain 
the ground lost, Cornwallis forthwith concentrated his forces at 
Princeton ; and, on the 2d of January, 1777, marched out to the 
attack of Washington, who had again crossed the Delaware, and 
had taken post at Trenton. That night the British encamped 
not far distant, elated at the prospect of a victory the ensuing 
morning. 

19. The morning came, but Washington and his troops were 
gone. He had projected another bold enterprise, which was to 
proceed under cover of night to Princeton, where Cornwallis had 
left a portion of his troops, and give them battle. Accordingly, 
renewing his camp-fires, and while they were burning brightly, 
he withdrew ; and, at sunrise, unexpectedly fell in with two 
British regiments, upon which a spirited contest ensued. The 
Americans fought well; but just as they were giving way, Wash- 
ington himself headed the main body, and led them to the 
attack. His bravery gave impulse to his troops, and the enemy 
were put to rout. Instead of pursuing them, however, he hast- 
ened forward to Princeton, where was stationed another regi- 
ment. Of this he made three hundred prisoners, while the 
remainder sought safety in flight. The loss of the Americans 
was not severe in numbers, but several valuable officers were 
killed and wounded. Among the former was the brave Gen- 
eral Mercer ; among the latter, Lieutenant James Monroe, in 
after years President of the United States. 

20. The victories of Trenton and Princeton were of signal 
importance to the American people, and especially to the inhab- 
itants of New Jersey, who had long suffered from . the presence 
of the British, and from their exactions, and even brutalities, 
.They were highly gratified, and their courage greatly revived. 
Soon after, the royal army retired to winter quarters at New 
Brunswick, and Washington to Morristown, where his army was 
generally inoculated with the small-pox. Thus closed the cam* 
paign of 1776. 



176 PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783. — THE REVOLUTION. 



PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1111. 



Arrival of Marquis de La- 
fayette. 
Assistance rendered by France. 
Burning of Danbury. 
Rencontre at Ridgefield. 
Movement of British Army. 
Battle of Brandywine. 



Occupation of Philadelphia. 
Battle of Germantown. 
Invasion of Burgoyne. 
Battle of Bennington. 
Battles of Saratoga and Still- 
water. 
Surrender of Buigoyne. 



1. The spring of 1777 opened with a pleasing event, in the 
history of the American struggle. This was the arrival, in 
April, of the young, ardent, distinguished Marquis de Lafayette, 
intent on joining the American standard. During the preceding 
year, Dr. Franklin, Silas Dean and Arthur Lee, had been com- 
missioned to proceed to France to solicit a loan of money of the 
French government, and an acknowledgment of the independ- 
ence of the United States. Dr. Franklin arrived in Paris in De- 
cember, and was cordially received, as the worthy representative 
of a people struggling for liberty. Through his efforts, the 
French government secretly favored the Americans, allowing 
arms to be taken from the public arsenals, and prizes taken by 
American privateers to be sold in French and West India 
ports. 

2. The necessities of the United States being thus brought 
before the people of France, excited their sympathy, while the 
noble character of Washington called forth their admiration. 
Several French officers were thus prompted to offer their ser- 
vices to the Americans, and Lafayette among the number. At 
his own expense, he hired a vessel to transport him to the United 
States, and of Washington solicited permission to serve without 
pay ; but Congress, in token of their estimation of his generous 
conduct, invested him with the commission of Major-general. 

3. During the same month, a large quantity of public stores 
were burnt at Danbury, in Connecticut, by General Tryon, with 
two thousand men, from New York, together with eighteen dwell- 
ings. Three of the inhabitants were wantonly murdered, and 
thrown into the flames. After accomplishing their object, the 
enemy retreated to their shipping on the sound. In a rencontre 
with some militia, headed by General Wooster, he received a 
mortal wound. At Ridgefield, General Arnold attacked them 
with great spirit, with a small militia force. In this latter place 
they burnt several houses. Before reaching the sound, they had 



BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE. 177 

Incurred a loss of nearly three hundred men. The loss of the 
Americans did not exceed one hundred. In testimony of their 
sense of the heroic conduct of Wooster and Arnold, Congress 
voted a monument to the former, and a properly caparisoned 
horse to the latter. 

4. Towards the close of May, the American army, augmented 
to nearly ten thousand men, moved from their winter encamp- 
ment at Morristown, and took post at Middlebrook, about ten 
miles from New Brunswick, the encampment of the British. 
For a time, the movements of General Howe indicated an inten- 
tion of attacking Washington ; but, on ascertaining the strength 
of the American posts, he suddenly changed his purpose, and 
having concentrated his army at Staten Island, embarked, with 
eighteen thousand men, on the 23d of July, and put forth 
to sea. 

5. Penetrating his design, Washington immediately put his 
army in motion towards Philadelphia, to prevent, if possible, its 
occupation by Howe ; and had already advanced beyond Wil- 
mington, when the British army, which, proceeding up the 
Chesapeake, had landed at the head of Elk river, in Maryland, 
was announced as approaching. His superior strength admon- 
ished Washington to withdraw across the Brandywine ; but hero 
he decided to make a stand for the defence of Philadelphia. 

6. On the morning of the 11th of September, the armies 
engaged, and continued the contest nearly the entire day. In 
the sequel, the Americans were compelled to retreat, first to 
Chester, whence they proceeded to Philadelphia. In the above 
battle, several foreign officers distinguished themselves ; among 
whom were Count Pulaski, a Polander, and Lafayette, the lat- 
ter of whom was wounded, while endeavoring to rally the 
fugitives. 

7. Not considering the battle of Brandywine as decisive, Con- 
gress, then in session in Philadelphia, recommended Washington 
to risk another engagement. Accordingly, on the 16th, he 
recrossed the Schuylkill, and advanced against the British at 
Goshen. But a violent storm occurring, the armies were compelled 
to defer the contest. Soon after, Washington abandoned Phila- 
delphia, and took post at Pottsgrove, thirty-five miles north-west. 
An easy access to Philadelphia being now presented, Howe 
entered it on the 26th, stationing his army at Germantown, some 
six miles distant, — Congress having adjourned to Lancaster. 

8. Immediately after the occupation of Philadelphia, the 
attention of General Howe was drawn to the reduction of soma 
forts on the Delaware, which rendered the navigation of that rivei 



178 PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783.— THE REVOLUTION. 

unsafe to the British. Accordingly, a part of the royal army 
Was detached for that purpose, which coming to the knowledge 
of Washington, he seized the opportunity to attack the remain- 
der, at Germantown. 

9. This attack, which occurred on the 4th of October, 
resulted, after a severe action, in the repulse of the Americans, 
with a loss double that of the British. The latter now removed 
to Philadelphia, where they continued a long time inactive, 
while Washington, retreating, took post at Skippack, eleven miles 
from Germantown. The repulse of the Americans at German- 
town caused deep chagrin to Washington ; and the more, 
because the commencement of the battle was apparently so 
auspicious to the Americans. The ultimate failure of the latter 
was attributed to the inexperience of a part of the troops, and 
to embarrassments arising from a fog, which increased the dark- 
ness of the night. Congress, however, expressed their approbation 
of Washington's plan of attack, and highly applauded the cour- 
age and firmness of the troops. 

10. While such was the progress of military operations in the 
Middle States, important events were taking place in the north. 
It has already teen noticed (p. 162) that, in May, 1775, 
Ticonderoga and Crown Point had been taken by surprise, by 
Colonels Allen and Arnold ; that, in the ensuing fall, General 
Montgomery had reduced the fort of St. Johns (p. 165), cap- 
tured Montreal, and made an ineffectual though desperate assault 
upon Quebec. On the return of spring, the American army 
gradually retired up the St. Lawrence, and, after a loss of one 
post and another, in June, 1776, entirely evacuated Canada 
(p. 166). 

11. In the spring of 1777, it was settled in England that an 
invasion of the States should be attempted from the north, and 
a communication formed between Canada and New York. 
Could such a plan have been executed, it would obviously have 
precluded intercourse between New England and the more 
southern states. The execution of the plan was committed to 
General Burgoyne,^ who left Canada with seven thousand 

* General John Burgoyne was the natural son of Lord Bingley. He wan 
appointed to a command in America, in 1775. He was a very pompom 
man, and wrote such pompous addresses that he excited the ridicule of the 
Americans, by whom he was called"' Chrononhotonthologos." After the batti* 
of Stillwater, some one composed the following : 

"Burgoyne, unconscious of impending fates, 
Could cut his way through woods, but not through Gates." 

After his surrender, he returned to England. He died in 1792 



BATTLE OF BENNINGTON. 179 

troops, besides a powerful train of artillery, and several tribes 
of Indians ; and on the 1st of July, invested Ticonderoga. 
The American garrison at this time amounted to three thousand 
men, under command of General St. Clair. 

12. Deeming this force inadequate to maintain the post, 
especially as Burgoyne had taken possession of Mount Defiance, 
which commanded Ticonderoga, and not having provisions to 
sustain the army for more than twenty days, St. Clair suddenly 
abandoned the fort, and, by a circuitous route, — first into Vermont 
and thence to the Hudson, — joined General Schuyler, com- 
manding the main army of the north. After this junction, the 
whole army continued to retire to Saratoga and Stillwater, and at 
length took post on Van Shaick's Island, in the mouth of the 
Mohawk, on the 18th of August. 

13. After taking possession of Ticonderoga, (abandoned by St. 
Clair,) Burgoyne, with the great portion of his troops, proceeding 
up the lake, destroyed the American flotilla, and a consider- 
able quantity of baggage and stores, at Skeensborough. Having 
halted at this place for nearly three weeks, he proceeded to Fort 
Edward, on the Hudson, where he arrived only on the 30th of 
July, his way having been obstructed by Schuyler's army, which 
felled trees across the road, and demolished the bridges, while 
on their retreat. 

14. While at this latter place, a detachment of his army, con- 
sisting of five hundred English and one hundred Indians, under 
Colonel Baum, who had been despatched to seize a magazine of 
stores at Bennington, in Vermont, was totally defeated, by a 
party of Vermont troops, called Green Mountain Boys, and a 
detachment of New Hampshire militia, under command of Gen- 
eral Stark. Baum, on his arrival near Bennington, learning that 
the Americans were strongly intrenched at that place, halted, 
and despatched a messenger to General Burgoyne, for a rein- 
forcement. General Stark, now on his march, with a body of 
New Hampshire militia, to join General Schuyler, receiving 
intelligence of Baum's approach, altered his movement, and col- 
lected his force at Bennington. Before the expected reinforce- 
ment could arrive, Stark, having added to his New Hampshire 
corps a body of Vermont militia, determined to attack Baum in 
his intrenchments. Accordingly, on the 16th of August, an 
attack was made, which resulted in the flight of Baum's detach- 
ment, at the moment in which the reinforcement of troops, 
despatched by General Burgoyne, arrived. With the assistance ot 
these, the battle was now renewed, but ended in the discomfiture 
Df the British forces, and with a loss on their part of about sevep 



180 PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783.— THE REVOLUTION. 

hundred in killed and wounded, among whom was Colonel 
Baum himself. The loss of the Americans was about one hun- 
dred. This battle at Bennington greatly revived the courage of 
the Americans, and as greatly disappointed the hopes of Bur-* 
goyne, as it served materially to embarrass and retard his move- 
ments. 

15. The situation of this general was now seriously perplex- 
ing. To retreat was to abandon the object of his expedition ; to 
advance seemed replete with difficulty and danger. This latter 
step, however, at length, appearing the most judicious, on the 
14th of September he passed the Hudson, and advanced upon 
Saratoga and Stillwater. On the 19th, an obstinate though 
indecisive engagement ensued between the two hostile armies, to 
which night only put an end, and in which the British loss 
exceeded that of the Americans. 

16. On the 7th of October, the battle was renewed, by a 
movement of General Burgoyne towards the left of the Ameri- 
cans, by which he intended to effect his retreat to the lakes. 
The battle was extremely severe ; and darkness only put an end 
to the eifusion of blood. During the succeeding night, an 
attempt was made by the royal army to retreat to Fort Edward ; 
but, while preparing to march, intelligence was received that 
this fort was already in possession of the Americans. No avenue 
to escape now appeared open. Worn down with constant toil 
and watching, and having ascertained that there were but three 
days' provisions, a council of war was called, which unanimously 
resolved to capitulate to General Gates, who had succeeded Gen- 
eral Schuyler, and under whom this signal victory was achieved. 
Preliminaries were soon after settled, and the army, consisting 
of five thousand seven hundred effective men, surrendered 
prisoners of war, on the 17th of October. 

17. Immediately after, General Gates despatched Colonel 
Wilkinson to announce the grateful intelligence to Congress. 
On being introduced, he said, " The whole British army has laid 
down arms at Saratoga. Our sons, full of vigor and courage, 
expect your orders. It is for your wisdom to decide where the 
country may still have need of their services." 

18. It would be difficult to describe the joy which the newa 
of the surrender of Burgoyne excited among the Americans ; and 
this joy was, not long after, greatly increased, by an acknowl- 
edgment of the independence of America at the court of France, 1 * 

* For more than a year, commissioners from Congress, at the head of whom 
was Dr. Franklin, had resided at the court of Franco, urging the abov« 
Important measure. But the success of the American struggle was yet toa 



THE CONFEDERATION. 18| 

Mid the conclusion of a formal treaty of alliance and commerce 
between the two countries, — an event highly auspicious to the 
interests of America. The treaty was signed February 6th ; — 
" neither of the contracting powers to make war or peace, with- 
out the formal consent of the other." 

19. The Declaration of Independence, in 1776, did not make 
the States, in fact, free and independent. For that, they had yet 
to fight. Indeed, it formed no real bond of union, and for some 
time none existed between them. One common sentiment with 
regard to the war, however, kopt them together. But something 
more was necessary. In November (the 15th), 1777, Congress 
adopted " Articles of Confederation," which for some time had 
been maturing, and which were afterwards ratified by several of 
the state Legislatures. These articles authorized Congress to 
carry on war ; to make peace ; to manage affairs with foreign 
nations. They were also to decide the number of men and the 
amount of money to be raised, and to assign to each state its 
proportion. But here their power ended. They could make no 
general laws, and could lay no direct taxes. These powers, the 
states reserved to themselves. In consequence of these reserva- 
tions, supplies of men and money were often delayed, to the 
great detriment of the cause. 

20. During the following winter, the British army continued 
to occupy Philadelphia, while the Americans had their winter 
quarters at Valley Forge, on the Schuylkill, fifteen miles from 
the former place. With the royalists the winter passed in the 
enjoyment of all the conveniences which an opulent city could 
afford. Not so with the patriots ; — their only shelter were 
rude huts. Provisions nearly failed ; comfortable clothing was 
deficient. Many, for want of shoes, were compelled to walk 
•barefoot on the frozen ground ; and few, if any, had even blan- 
kets for the night. Nearly three thousand were, at one time, 
incapable of bearing arms. 



doubtful for that country to embroil herself in a war with Great Britain. 
The capture of the British army at Saratoga seemed to increase the proba- 
bility that the American arms would finally triumph, and decided France to 
espouse her cause. The aid which France brought to the Americans was of 
great importance. It is even doubtful whether the colonies, without her 
contributions of money, navy, troops, would have been able to resist the 
British powers ; at least, the struggle must have been greatly prolonged. 
To this intervention France was inclined, by her own hostility to England, 
whom she delighted to see humbled, especially by a people struggling fol 
independence. 

Holland acknowledged the independence of the United States in 1782; 
Sweden, in February, 1783 ; Denmark, in the same month; Spain, in Maruhj 
Russia in July. 

16 



182 PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783. — THE REVOLUTION 



PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1778. 

Evacuation of Philadelphia. 
Battle of Monmouth. 
Massacre at Wyoming. 

1. On the opening of the spring, 1778, in consequence of the 
alliance of France and America, orders were issued by the Brit- 
ish general to evacuate Philadelphia, and concentrate the royal 
force in the city and harbor of New York. Pursuant to this 
order, the British, now under command of Sir Henry Clinton, 
left Philadelphia, and on the 18th of June passed the Delaware 
into New Jersey. 

2. Washington immediately quitted his camp, and hung upon 
the retreating enemy, watching a favorable opportunity to offer 
battle. On the 27th, the British army encamped on some high 
grounds in the neighborhood of Freehold court-house, in the 
county of Monmouth. 

3. On the morning of the 28th, General Lee was ordered to 
take command of five thousand troops, and to proceed to an 
attack. This honor he at first declined, upon which it was ten- 
dered to Lafayette ; but, at length, Lee decided to assume the 
command himself, and led forth his troops to the onset. 

4. The morning was clear and hot. Before noon, the mer- 
cury of the thermometer had reached ninety-six. Man and beast 
panted for breath. Water was needed at every step. Moreover, 
it was the Sabbath, that day when the hum of life is ordinarily 
hushed, and when men are commonly with their families in the 
house of God. 

5. Lee gave pursuit ; but suddenly the British army wheeled, 
as if to charge upon him, and he ordered a hasty retreat. Wash- 
ington was behind. When apprized of the flight of Lee, he vaulted 
into his saddle, and, putting spurs to his horse, was soon amid 
the scene of confusion. He bent on Lee a face of fearful expres- 
sion, and in thunder tones demanded, "Sir, I desire to know 
what is the reason, and whence arises this disorder and con- 
fusion ? " The rebuke was terrible. Wheeling his steed, he 
rallied the retreating forces, which, under his courageous bearing, 
wheeled, and formed in splendid style. This done, Washington, 
approaching Lee, exclaimed, " Will you, sir, command in that 
place ? " He replied, " Yes." " Well," continued the chief, " I 
expect you to check the enemy immediately." " Your order? 
shall be obeyed," said the stung commander, " and I will not be 
flie first to leave the field." The battle, upon this, opened with 



BATTLE OF MONMOUTH. 183 

renewed fury, ana Washington hurried back to bring his own 
division into the field. 

6. From that time, all did their duty. Few such days were 
teen, during the Revolutionary War. The tongues of the sol- 
diers, for the want of water, swelled so greatly, as not to be 
retained in the mouth. For twelve iong hours were the respect- 
ive armies that day engaged. Not a few died from sun-stroke, 
and still more from fatigue. The cry for " water, water ! " from 
the wounded and the dying, was sufficient to affect the stoutest 
heart. 

7. At length the sun went down, and darkness closed the 
contest. Both armies slept that night in sight of each other, on 
the field of battle. With the morning light, Washington had 
decided to renew the battle ; but, when morning came, the enemy 
had retired.^ On the following day, finding his foe gone, ho 
took up his line of march, and by easy stages moved towards the 
Hudson, disappointed that the enemy had escaped him; yet 
conscious that, if he did not enjoy all the advantages of a decided 
victory, he had suffered no defeat. On retiring from the field 
of Monmouth, the British army proceeded to Sandy Hook, and 
thence, by their fleet, to New York. Washington led his army 
to White Plains, where he continued till late in the autumn, 
when he went into winter quarters at Middlebrook, in New 
Jersey. 

8. Early in July, a scene of shocking barbarity was witnessed 
in the retired and peaceful valley of Wyoming, in Pennsylvania. 
A force of Tories and Indians, to the number of sixteen hundred, 
led by Colonel John Butler, and the famous Indian chieftain, 
Brant, attacked the inhabitants, slew nearly four hundred who 
came out to oppose them, and, having surprised their wives and 
children, they shut them up in the houses and barracks, where 
they perished in one general conflagration. This, however, was 
only a prelude to other enormities committed in that once happy 
valley. All the settlements were desolated by fire and sword. 



* Lee, deeply irritated by the reprimand of Washington, subsequently 
addressed two passionate letters to him, demanding reparation. By order 
of Washington, he was arrested and tried by a court-martial, by which he 
was found guilty of misconduct on the field of battle, and of disrespect to the 
commander-in-chief. He was suspended from command for one year ; but he 
never again joined the army, but died, just before the close of the war, in 
Philadelphia, in seclusion. It has sometimes been charged upon Washing- 
ton that on the occasion of rebuking Lee he was profane. But the charge is 
without proof. Lafayette, who was near Washington at the time, afterward 
said, that it was not so much the expression itself, as the manner ia 
which it was uttered, that stung Gen. Lee. That manner was terrible 
the \»*ath of Washington was without disguise. 



184 PERIOD IV. — 1776— 1783. — THE REVOLUTION 



PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1779. 



Reduction of Stony Point. 

Failure of Attempt to recapture 
Savannah. 

Depreciation of Paper Cur- 
rency. 



Surrender of Savannah to the 

British. 
Predatory Excursion of General 

Tryon to Horseneck. 
Expedition of same to Maritime 

Parts of Connecticut. 

1. Hitherto the conquest of the states had been chiefly at- 
tempted by offensive operations in the north. But, following 
the events already noticed, the Southern States became the prin- 
cipal theatre of the war, during its continuance ; and, as Georgia 
was one of the weakest, she was marked out as the first object 
of attack. 

2. In November of 1778, Colonel Campbell was sent from 
New York, by General Clinton, with two thousand men, for the re- 
duction of Savannah. Late in December, the troops were landed 
in the vicinity of the city, at that time under the care of General 
Robert Howe, with six hundred regular troops and a few hun- 
dred militia, under his command. This force being wholly in- 
adequate to the defence of the city, Howe was compelled to sur- 
render it ; but only at the end of a spirited engagement. 

3. In February, 1779, Governor Tryon, with fifteen hundred 
men, proceeded from Kingsbridge, thirteen miles above New 
York, into Connecticut, as far as Horseneck, a part of Green- 
wich, where he plundered the inhabitants, and destroyed their 
salt-works. General Putnam, happening to be in that vicinity, 
hastily collected a small number of men, whom he employed at 
firing upon the enemy, with a couple of field-pieces, from the high 
ground near the meeting-house. At length, however, a detach- 
ment of the enemy was ordered to charge upon Putnam and his 
men. Ordering the latter to make good their retreat to a neigh- 
boring swamp, he himself put spurs to his horse, and plunged 
down the precipice at the church. This was so steep as to have 
artificial stairs, composed of nearly one hundred stone steps, for 
the accommodation of worshippers ascending to the sanctuary. 
On the arrival of the dragoons at the brow of the hill, they 
paused, thinking it too dangerous to follow the steps of the 
adventurous hero. Before any could go round the hill, and 
descend, Putnam had escaped, uninjured by the many balls 
which were fired at him in his descent. But one touched him, 
and that only passed through his hat. 

4. In July, another predatory excursion was projected by 
Tryon, a* the head of two thousand six hundred men, against 



INFAMOUS CONDUCT OF TRYON 



185 



the maritimo parts of Connecticut. During the expedition, New 
Haven was plundered; East Haven, Fairfield, Norwalk, and 
Green's Farms, were reduced to ashes.* 




5. While Tryon was thus rendering his name infamously 
conspicuous in acts of plundering, burning and rapine, the 
Americans were engaged in some of the boldest enterprises of the 
ww. Of this number was the reduction of Stony Point, a for- 
tress on the Hudson, forty miles above New York, on the 15th 
of July. 

6. At this time, this was a strong-hold of the enemy, well 
garrisoned, with abundant stores, and formidable defensive pre- 
parations. Washington, however, decided to hazard its reduc- 
tion. The enterprise was committed to General Wayne, who, 
with a strong detachment of active infantry, set out towards 

* In an account of the devastations made by the English in this expedition, 
which was transmitted to Congress, it appeared that at Fairfield there were 
burnt two houses of public worship, fifteen dwelling-houses, eleven barns, 
and several stores ; at Norwalk, two houses of public worship, eighty dwell- 
ing-houses, sixty-seven barns, twenty -two stores, seventeen shops, four mills, 
and five vessels. In addition to this wanton destruction of property, various 
were the acts of brutality, rapine and cruelty, committed on aged persons, 
women, and prisoners. At New Haven, an aged citizen, who labored under 
ji natural inability of speech, had his tongue cut out by one of the royal 
irmy. At Fairfield, the deserted houses of the inhabitants were entered; 
iesks, trunks, closets and chests, were broken open, and robbed of every. 
Jhing valuable. Women were insulted, abused and threatened, while theif 
apparel was taken from them. Even an infant was robbed of its clothes 
While a bayonet was pointed at the breast of its mother. 

16* 



186 PERIOD IV. — 1775-1783. — THE REVOLUTION 

the place, at noon. His march of fourteen miles, over higt 
mountains, through deep morasses, and difficult defiles, was 
accomplished by eight o'clock in the evening. 

7. At the distance of a mile from the Point, Wayne halted, 
and formed his men into two columns, putting himself at 
the head of the right. Both were directed to march in order 
and silence, with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets. At 
midnight, they arrived under the walls of the fort. An un- 
expected obstacle now presented itself; the deep morass, which 
covered the works, was, at this time, overflowed by the tide. The 
English opened a tremendous fire of musketry and of cannon 
loaded with grape-shot ; but neither the inundated morass, nor a 
double palisade, nor the storm of fire, could arrest the impetu- 
osity of the Americans ; they opened their way with the bay- 
onet, prostrated whatever opposed them, scaled the fort, and the 
two columns met in the centre of the works. The English lost 
upwards of six hundred men, in killed and prisoners. The con- 
querors abstained from pillage, and from all disorder, — a con- 
duct the more worthy, as they had still present in mind the 
ravages and butcheries which their enemies had so recently com- 
mitted in Connecticut. 

8. Early in September, Count d'Estaing^ with a French 
fleet, arrived on the coast of Georgia, with a view to the reduc- 
tion of Savannah. Before the arrival of General Lincoln, who 
was expected to aid, the count had sent " a haughty summons " 
to Prevost, the English commander, to surrender. The latter 
requested a day to consider the proposition ; which being incau- 
tiously granted, was fatal to the expedition, as Prevost, besides 
strengthening his position, received a large reinforcement. Ha 
therefore rejected the overture. 

9. Upon this, siege was laid to the city, and was continued 
for a month, when an assault was made, on the 9th of October, 
which resulted in a marked repulse of the combined army. 
D'Estaing and Pulaski, the brave Polander, were wounded, — 
the latter mortally. The loss of the Americans, in killed and 
wounded, was nearly one thousand. Here, too, the brave Jasper 
fell, grasping the standard from which floated the flag presented 
by Mrs. Elliot to the regiment of Moultrie, after the brave 
defence of Fort Moultrie, and which was now the winding-sheet 
of the brave-hearted Jasper (p. 169). Immediately following 

* Count D'Estaing was a native of France, and descended from an ancient 
family. During the American war, he was vice-admiral. He was an officer 
of courage, but not distinguished for his skill. He suffered death by th« 
guillotine, in 1793, for opposing the French Revolution. 



DEPRECIATED CURRENCY, 187 

!his repulse, D'Estaing retired from the American coast, while 
Lincoln retreated into South Carolina. 

10. The campaign of 1779 was remarkable, on the part of the 
Americans, for nothing, except their want of enterprise and 
energy. Nearly every scheme undertaken proved a failure. 
This resulted, in part, doubtless, from their disappointment as to 
anticipated assistance from France. The French fleet accom- 
plished little or nothing ; and consequently the Americans grew 
despondent and inactive. 

11. But there existed another, perhaps, still more potent 
reason for their feeble exertions. This was the daily deprecia- 
tion of their bills of credit. The first issue of these bills by 
Congress was in June, 1775, and then to the amount of two 
millions. By the year 1780, the amount in circulation was two 
hundred millions, and the depreciation fifty or sixty for one. 
In after years, the depreciation was several hundreds for one. 
Several causes combined to sink this paper currency. But the 
two principal reasons were the extensive counterfeits of it by the 
enemy, and the general want of confidence that it would ever 
be redeemed. 

12. With such a currency, it was impossible to carry on a 
war with energy. On the part of the Americans, therefore, 
the campaign of 1779 was spiritless and inefficient. On the part 
of Great Britain, although no very splendid victories had been 
achieved, preparations on a most liberal scale were made for the 
future. Parliament voted to raise eighty thousand seamen, and 
thirty-five thousand additional troops ; while the House of Com- 
mons voted one hundred millions of dollars. 



r&INCIPAL EVENTS OF 1780. 



Capitulation of Charleston to 

the Briton. 
Battle of Camden. 
Wanton Conduct of the British 

at C-* inecticut Farms. 



Hard Winter, and Sufferings of 
the American Army. 

Arrival of French Fleet and 
Troops. 

Treachery of Arnold. 



1. Towards the close of 1799, General Clinton sailed from 
New York, with ten thousand troops, destined for the reduction 
Df Charleston ; the small American force at which point was still 
Under the command of General Lincoln. On the first of April, 
1780, Clinton commenced erecting batteries, within eight hun* 
4red yards of the American works. 

%. On the 9th, the British fleet, under Admiral Arbuthnot^ 



188 PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783.— THE REVOLUTION. 

succeeded in passing Fort Moultrie, and anchored within cannon* 
phot of the city. Meanwhile, Lincoln, urged on by Governor Rut« 
ledge and other prominent citizens, had attempted to fortify the 
place ; but his force and preparations were wholly inadequate, as 
was at length proved, the batteries of the besiegers obtaining a 
decided superiority. A capitulation became necessary ; according 
to the terms of which, the whole American force, with all the in- 
habitants, and a large park of artillery, were surrendered to the 
British, on the 12th of May. A humiliating condition was im- 
posed upon the vanquished ; — the garrison was to march out and 
deposit their arms in front of the works, but they were not per- 
mitted to beat an American march. Eighteen months after, 
this was remembered at Yorktown, when to Cornwallis was 
administered a similar and retaliatory humiliating cup. 

3. Charleston having thus surrendered, measures were adopted 
for reestablishing royal authority over the province. With that 
view, several expeditions were sent into the country, which suc- 
ceeded in their plans of subduing all to the royal standard. This 
accomplished, in June, Clinton embarked, with a large body of 
his troops, for New York, leaving Lord Cornwallis in command 
of the southern forces. 

4. On the fall of Charleston, Lincoln was superseded in com- 
mand by General Gates, the hero of Saratoga. The force 
placed at his disposal amounted to four thousand, of whom 
scarcely one thousand were regular troops ; the rest being North 
Carolina, Maryland or Virginia militia. 

5. On learning the approach of this force, Lord Rawdon, com- 
mander on the frontier, concentrated his army — two thousand in 
number — at Camden, situated one hundred and twenty miles 
north-west from Charleston, where, soon after, he was joined by 
Cornwallis. In this neighborhood, near Sander's Creek, eight 
miles from Camden, the hostile forces met, on the 16th of 
August. 

6. The first onset decided the fate of the battle. A large 
body of the Virginia militia, under a charge of the British 
infantry with fixed bayonets, threw down their arms and fled. 
A considerable part of the North Carolina militia followed 
their unworthy example. But the continental troops evinced the 
most unyielding firmness, submitting only when forsaken by their 
brethren-in-arms, and when overpowered by numbers. In this 
battle, the brave Baron de Kalb, second in command, at the head 
of the Marylanders, fell, covered with wounds, which he survived 
only a few days. De Kalb was a German by birth, and had 
formerly served in the armies of the French. In consideration 



WANTON CONDUCT OF KNIPHAUSEN. 189 

of his distinguished merit a& an officer and soldier, Congress 
resolved that a monument should be erected to his memory at 
Annapolis. The battle of Camden was exceedingly bloody, and 
had the effect to spread a deep gloom over the face of American 
affairs. But, if Cornwallis was the victor, the British cause had 
reached its culminating point. Elated with their successes, the 
victors grew insolent and rapacious, — the Americans, resolute 
and determined. 

7. While the campaign of 1780 was thus filled up with im- 
portant events, in the southern department, it passed away, in the 
Northern States, in successive disappointments, and reiterated 
distresses. In June, a body of five thousand of the enemy, under 
General Kniphausen,^ entered New Jersey, and, in addition to 
plundering the country, wantonly burnt several villages. On 
the arrival of this body at Connecticut Farms, a small settlement 
containing about a dozen houses and a church, they burnt the 
whole. At this place there resided a Presbyterian minister, by 
the name of Caldwell, who had taken a conspicuous part in the 
cause of freedom, and who had, of course, incurred the deep dis- 
pleasure of General Kniphausen. Hoping, however, that the 
general's resentment would be confined to himself, and not ex- 
tend to his wife and children, who had been guilty of no crime, 
on the approach of the enemy, he hastily withdrew. Colonel 
Drayton had previously withdrawn the militia from the place, 
that there might be no pretext for enormities ; but the British 
soldiers did not wait for pretexts to be cruel. Mrs. Caldwell was 
shot, in the midst of her children, by a villain, who walked up to 
the window of the room in which she was sitting, and took delib- 
erate aim with his musket. This atrocious act was attempted 
to be excused as an accident, as a random shot ; but the attempt 
at palliation served only to increase the crime. 

8. Besides these predatory incursions, by which the inhabit- 
ants suffered alarm, distress and destruction of property, they 
suffered greatly, also, from the constantly diminishing value of 
their paper currency, and from unfavorable crops. The situation 
of General Washington — often, during the war, embarrassing — 
had been distressing through the winter, in his encampment at 
Morristown. The cold was more intense than it had ever before 
been known to be in this climate, within the memory of the 
oldest inhabitant. The winter, to this day, bears the distinctive 

* General Kniphausen commanded the German troops, or Hessians, at 
they were sometimes called, from Hesse, a territory in Germany, from whe*^ 
Ihey came. He was a fine-looking officer, nearly six feet in stature 



190 PERIOD IV. — 1775—1783 . — THE REVOLUTION. 

epithet of the " hard winter." The army suffered extremely 
and often had Washington the prospect before him of being 
obliged to break up his encampment, and disband his soldiers. 

9. The return of spring brought little alleviation to their 
distress. Great disorder pervaded the departments for supplying 
the army. Abuses crept in ; frauds were practised ; and, notwith- 
standing the poverty of the country, economy, on the part of 
the commissioners, was exiled. In May, a committee from Con- 
gress visited the army, and reported to that body an account of 
the distresses and disorders conspicuously prevalent. In par- 
ticular, they stated, " that the army was unpaid for five months ; 
that it seldom had more than six days' provisions in advance, 
and was, on several occasions, for sundry successive days, with* 
out meat; that the medical department had neither sugar, 
coffee, tea, chocolate, wine, nor spirituous liquors of any kind ; 
and that every department of the army was without money, 
and had not even the shadow of credit left." 

10. But, under all this tide of evils, there appeared no dis- 
position, in public bodies, to purchase their relief by concession. 
On the contrary, they seemed to rise in the midst of their dis- 
tresses, and to gain firmness and strength by the pressure of 
calamity. 

11. Fortunately for the Americans, as it seemed, M. de 
Ternay arrived at Rhode Island, July 10th, from France, with 
a squadron of seven sail-of-the-line, five frigates, and five 
smaller armed vessels, with several transports, and six thousand 
men, all under command of Lieutenant-general Count de 
Rochambeau. Great was the joy excited by this event, and 
high-raised expectations were indulged from the assistance of so 
powerful a force against the enemy. But the British fleet in 
our waters was still superior ; and that of the French, and the 
French army, were, for a considerable time, incapacitated from 
cooperating with the Americans, by being blocked up at Rhode 
Island. 

12. The fortress of West Point, sixty miles north of New 
York, from its position, and especially from its commanding the 
Hudson, was of great importance to the Americans. Of this 
fortress, General Arnold had solicited and obtained the com- 
mand ; soon after which, he treacherously entered into nego- 
tiations with Sir Henry Clinton, to make such a disposition of 
the forces in the fortress as that the latter might easily take 
possession of it by surprise. Fortunately, this base plot waa 
seasonably discovered, to prevent the ruinous consequences that 
must have followed. 



TREACHERY OF ARNOLD. 191 

13. The agent employed by General Clinton, in maturing the 
^»lan with General Arnold, was Major John Andre, at that 
time adjutant-general of the British army, an officer extremely 
young, but high-minded, brave and accomplished. He was 
transported, in a vessel called the Vulture, up the North river, 
as near to West Point as was practicable, without exiting sus- 
picion. On the 21st of September, at night, a boat was sent to 
bring him to the shore. On its return, Arnold met him at the 
beach, without the posts of either army. Their business was 
not finished, till too near the dawn of day for Andre to return 
to the Vulture. He, therefore, lay concealed within the Amer- 
ican lines. During the day, the Vulture found it necessary to 
change her position ; and Andre, not being able to get on board, 
was compelled to attempt his return to New York by land. 

14. Having changed his military dress for a plain coat, and 
received a passport from Arnold, under the assumed name of 
John Anderson, he passed the guards and outposts, without sus- 
picion. On his arrival sk Tarry town, a village thirty miles 
north of New York, in the vicinity of the first British posts, he 
was met by three militia soldiers, — John Paulding, David Wil- 
liams, and Isaac Van Wert. He showed them his passport, 
and they suffered him to continue his route. Immediately after 
this, one of these three men, thinking that he perceived some- 
thing singular in the person of the traveller, called him back. 
Andre asked them where they were from. " From down 
below," they replied, intending to say from -New York. Too 
frank to suspect a snare, Andre immediately answered, " And 
so am I." 

15. Upon this, they arrested him, when he declared himself 
to be a British officer, and offered them his watch, and all the 
gold he had with him, to be released. But, poor and obscure as 
these soldiers were, they were not to be bribed. Resolutely 
refusing his offers, they conducted him to Lieutenant-colonel 
Jameson, their commanding officer. Jameson injudiciously 
permitted Andre — still calling himself Anderson — to write to 
Arnold, who immediately escaped on board the Vulture, and 
took refuge in New York. Washington, on his way to head- 
quarters, from Connecticut, where he had been to confer with 
Count de Bochambeau, providentially happened to be at West 
Point, just at this time. After taking measures to insure the 
safety of the fort, he appointed a board, of which General 
Greene was president, to decide upon the condition and punish- 
ment of Andre. After a patient hearing of the case, in which 
every feeling of kindness, liberality, and generous sympathy, 



192 



PERIOD IV - - 1775—1783 THE REVOLUTION 



was strongly evinced, the board, upon his own confession, unani- 
mously pronounced Andre a spy, and declared that, agreeably to 
the laws and usages of nations, he ought to suffer death. 




16. Major Andre had many friends in the American army ; 
and even Washington would have spared him, had duty to his 
country permitted. Every possible effort was made by Sir Henry 
Clinton in his favor ; but it was deemed important that the 
decision of the board of war should be carried into execution. 
When Major Andre was apprized of the sentence of death, he 
made a last appeal, in a letter to Washington, that he might 
be shot, rather than die on a gibbet. To this request it was 
deemed necessary to give a denial ; and, on the 2d of October, this 
unfortunate young man expired on the gallows, while foes and 
friends universally lamented his untimely end. 

17. As a reward to Paulding, Williams and Van Wert, for 
their virtuous and patriotic conduct, Congress voted to each a 
farm in Westchester county of the value of five hundred pounds, 
an annuity of two hundred dollars, and a silver medal, on one 
side of which was a shield, with this inscription, — " Fidelity," — 
and on the other, the following motto — " Amor patriae vincit," 
— the love of country conquers. 

18. Arnold, the miserable wretch whose machinations led to 
the melancholy death of Andre, escaped to New York, where, as 
the price of dishonor, he received the commission of brigadier- 
general, and the sum of ten thousand pounds sterling. This 



if 



STORY OF CHAMPE. 193 

last boon was the grand secret of Arnold's fall from virtuo. He 
had involved himself in debt, from which he saw no hope of extri- 
cating himself, but by bartering his honor and sacrificing his 
country for British gold.^ 

* That Washington's sympathy was deeply enlisted for Andre, admits of 
no doubt. And it seems highly probable that, could Arnold have been 
brought to justice, his victim might have escaped. To accomplish an object 
so desirable, Washington devised the following plan, which, though it ulti- 
mately failed, evinced the kindness of his heart towards Andre, and his deep 
sense of the villany and treachery of Arnold. 

Having matured the plan, Washington sent to Major Lee to repair to head- 
quarters, at Tappan, on the Hudson. "I have sent for you," said General 
Washington, " in the expectation that you have some one in your corps who 
is willing to undertake a delicate and hazardous project. Whoever comes 
forward will confer great obligation upon me personally ; and, in behalf of 
the United States, I will reward him amply. No time is to be lost : he must 
proceed to-night; I intend to seize Arnold, and save Andre." Major Lee named 
a sergeant-major of his corps, by the name of Champe, a native of Virginia, a 
man of tried courage, and inflexible perseverance. Champe was sent for by 
Major Lee, and the plan proposed. This was for him to desert, to escape to 
New York, to appear friendly to the enemy, to watch Arnold, and, upon some 
fit opportunity, to seize him, and conduct him to a place on the river, where 
boats should be in readiness to bear them away. 

For a time, Champe objected ; but at last he accepted the service. It was 
now eleven o'clock at night. With his instructions in his pocket, the sergeant 
returned to camp, and, taking his cloak, valise and orderly-book, drew his 
horse from the picket, and, mounting, put himself upon fortune. Scarcely 
had half an hour elapsed, before Captain Carnes, the officer of the day, waited 
upon Lee, and informed him that a dragoon, it was believed, had deserted. 
Lee, hoping to conceal the flight of Champe, complained of fatigue, and told 
the captain that it was probably a mistake. Carnes, however, was not thus 
to be quieted ; and he withdrew, to assemble his corps. On examination, it 
was found that Champe was absent. The captain now returned, and acquainted 
Lee with the discovery, adding that he had detached a party to pursue the 
deserter, and begged the" major's written orders. 

After making as much delay as practicable, Lee delivered his orders. 
"Bring him alive," said he, "that he may suffer in the presence of the 
army ; but kill him if he resists, or if he escapes after being taken." A 
shower of rain falling soon after Champe 's departure, enabled the pursuing 
dragoons to take the trail of his horse, — his shoes, in common with other 
horses of the army, being made in a peculiar form, and each having a private 
mark, which was to be seen in the path. Middleton, the leader of the pur- 
suing party, left the camp a few minutes past twelve, so that Champe had the 
start of but little more than an hour. During the night, the dragoons were 
often delayed in examining the road ; but, on the coming of morning, the 
impression of the horse's shoes was so apparent, that they pressed on with 
rapidity. Some miles above Bergen, a village three miles north of New York, 
on the opposite side of the Hudson, on ascending a hill, Champe was descried, 
not more than half a mile distant. Fortunately, Champe descried his pursuers 
at the same moment ; upon which, putting spurs to his horse, he was able to 
reach a place on the river, in which were some British galleys at anchor. 
Throwing himself from his horse, he gave a plunge, and succeeded in reaching 
one of these galleys, on board of which he was safe from his pursuers. These 
now, having recovered the sergeant's horse and cloak, returned to camp. On 
their appearance with the well-known horse, the soldiers made the air 
tesound with acclamations that the scoundrel was killed. The agony of Lee> 

17 



194 



PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783. — THE REVOLUTION. 



PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1781. 



Revolt of Pennsylvania Ti-oods. 

Depredations of Arnold in Vir- 
ginia. 

Battle of Cowpens. 

Remarkable Retreat of General 
Greene. 

Engagement at Guilford Court- 
house. 

Battle of Hobkirk's Hill. 

1. The year 1781 opened with an event which, for a time, 
seriously endangered the American cause. This was the revolt 
of the whole Pennsylvania line of troops, at Morristown, to the 

for a moment, was past description, lest the faithful Champe had fallen. But 
the truth soon relieved his fears, and he repaired to Washington, to impart to 
him the success, thus far, of his plan. 



Battle of Ninety-Six. 

Execution of Hayne. 

Battle of Eutaw Springs. 

Recovering of Charleston. 

Arnold's Expedition against 
New London. 

Siege of Yorktown, and Sur- 
render of Cornwallic. 




Champe soon found means to communicate to Lee an account of his adven- 
tures ; but, unfortunately, he could not succeed in taking Arnold, before the 
execution of Andre. Ten days before he brought his project to a conclusion, 
Lee received from him a communication, appointing the third subsequent 
night for a party of dragoons to meet him at Hoboken, opposite jSfew York, 
when he hoped to deliver Arnold to the officers. Champe had enlisted into 
Arnold's legion, from which time he discovered that it was his custom te 
return home about twelve every night, and that, previously to going to bed, 
he always visited the garden. During this visit, the conspirators were to 
eeize him, gag him, and bear him off, as if conveying a drunken soldier to tha 
Sjuard-house. 



SERIOUS REVOLT. 195 

number of thirteen hundred. The occasion of this mutiny waa 
want of pay, clothing and provisions. Upon examination of the 
grievances of the troops, by a committee from Congress, their 
complaints were considered just, and measures were immediately 
adopted for their relief ; upon which, those whose time of service 
had not expired cheerfully returned to camp. 

2. General Wayne, who commanded these troops, had used 
every exertion to quiet them, but in vain. In the ardor of 
remonstrate, he cocked his pistol, and turned towards them ; 
when, instantly, a hundred bayonets were directed towards him, 
and the men cried out, " We love you, we respect you ; but you 
are a dead man, if you fire. Do not mistake us ; we are not 
going to the enomy. On the contrary, were they now to appear, 
you should see us fight under your orders, with as much resolu- 
tion and alacrity as ever." Leaving the camp, the mutineers 
proceeded in a body to Princeton, whither Sir Henry Clinton 
despatched agents, with offers of large reward, to induce them to 

"When the day arrived, Lee, with a party of accoutred horses, left the camp 
for the appointed rendezvous, which they reached about midnight ; and here 
they remained hour after hour, until, there being no longer any hope of 
Champe's approach, they returned to the camp. In a few days, Lee received 
an anonymous letter from Champe's patron and friend, informing him that, on 
tho day preceding the night fixed for the execution of the plot, Arnold, most 
unfortunately, had removed his quarters to another part of the town ; and 
that the American legion, consisting chiefly of American deserters, had been 
transferred from their barracks to one of the transports. Thus it happened 
that John Champe, instead of crossing the Hudson that night, was safely de- 
posited on board one of the fleet of transports, from whence he never departed, 
until the troops under .Arnold landed in Virginia. Some time after, he effected 
his escape, and, at length, again joined the American army. 

His appearance excited extreme surprise among his former comrades, 
which was not a little increased, when they saw the cordial reception he met 
with from the late Major, now Lieutenant-colonel Lee. His story was soon 
known to the corps, which reproduced the love and respect of officers and 
soldiers, heretofore invariably entertained for the sergeant, heightened by 
universal admiration of his late daring and arduous attempt. Champe was 
introduced to General Greene, who complied with the promise made by the 
commander-in-chief ; and, having provided the sergeant with a good horse, 
and money for his journey, sent him to General Washington, who munifi- 
cently anticipated every desire of the sergeant, and presented him with a 
discharge from further service, lest, in the vicissitudes of war, he should fall 
into the hands of the enemy, when, if recognized, he was sure to die on a 
gibbet. 

We shall only add, that when General Washington was called by President 
Adams, in 1798, to the command of the army prepared to defend the country 
against French hostility, he sent to Lieutenant-colonel Lee, to inquire for 
Champe, being determined to b*ing him into the field, at the head of a company 
of infantry. Lee sent to Loud jn county, Virginia, where Champe settled after 
bis discharge from the army ; when he learned that the gallant soldier had 
removed to Kentucky, wV/f fce soon after died.* 

* Lee's Memoirs. 



196 PERIOD IV.— 1775-1783. — THE REVOLUTION. 

espouse the British cause. But these soldiers loved their coun« 
try's cause too well to listen to proposals so reproachful. They 
were sundering privations which could no longer bo sustained ; 
but they spurned, with disdain, the oiler of the enemy. They 
also seized the agents of the British, and nobly delivered them 
up to General Wayne, to be treated as spies. 

3. In the midst of these troubles, news arrived of great depre- 
dations in Virginia, by Arnold, at the head of sixteen hundred 
men, and a number of armed vessels. Large quantities of 
tobacco, salt, rum, &c, were destroyed. In this manner did 
Arnold show the change of spirit which had taken place in his 
breast, and his fidelity to his new engagements. Upon receiving 
news of these depredations, a French squadron, from llhodo 
Island, was sent to cut off Arnold's retreat. Ten of his vessels 
were destroyed, and a forty-four gun ship captured. Shortly 
after, an engagement took place, off the capes of Virginia, between 
the French and English squadrons, which terminated so far to 
the advantage of the English that Arnold was saved from falling 
into the hands of his exasperated countrymen. 

4. Following the unfortunate battle of Camden (p. 188), 
General Gates was removed, and General Greene appointed his 
successor. Next to Washington, Greene was the ablest com- 
mander in the Revolutionary army. He combined much of that 
great man's sound judgment and caution, while he was distin- 
guished, perhaps, even more than Washington himself, for 
promptness of action in times of emergency. On assuming tho 
command, Greene found the army reduced to two thousand men, 
of whom one-half were militia, and not more than eight hundred 
fit for service, llis officers, however, had few equals, and no 
superiors. These were Morgan, Lee, Marion, Sumpter and 
Colonel Washington, whose heroic achievements have justly 
placed them high on the rolls of fame. 

5. The first measure of Greene was unusual ; he separated 
his forces, small as they were, into several divisions, and stationed 
them at different points, under Morgan, Marion, &c. For this 
he has been censured, as contrary to military rule ; but the 
sequel proved the wisdom of the measure. It served to perplex 
Cornwallis, who scarcely knew what movement to make, or whom 
first to attack. 

6. At length, however, he decided to begin with Morgan, who 
was stationed at Cowpens, near the northern boundary of South 
Carolina. For this object, Colonel Tarleton =* was despatched, 

* Colonel Tarleton was distinguished for his military courage and enter« 
(rise. He was below the middle size, stout, strong, with large legs, but 



CELEBRATED RETREAT OF GREENE. 197 

with eleven hundred men, to assail him in front, while Comwallis, 
with the main army, would attempt to cut off his retreat. 

7. On the approach of Tarleton, Morgan retired ; but a contest 
became inevitable. The first onset of Tarleton was terrible, and the 
Americans gave way ; but, at this critical moment, Colonel Wash- 
ington gave orders to his bugler to sound a charge. It was 
nobly done. Morgan had time to rally his repulsed forces, and 
now sped on to victory. It was a brief and sanguinary scene, but 
the achievement was nearly as brilliant as any during the war. 
«* 8. Upon receiving intelligence of Tarleton's defeat, Comwallis 
abandoned the invasion of North Carolina, and marched in pur- 
suit of Morgan. Greene, suspecting his intentions, hastened, with 
his army, to join him ; which having been effected, the united 
force directed their march towards Guilford court-house,* which 
Greene had appointed as the rendezvous of his army. 

9. This was a perilous undertaking. It was the season of 
winter, and the soldiers were nearly destitute of shoes, blankets 
and provisions. But there was no safe alternative. Accordingly. 
Greene commenced the retreat ; but the British urged the pur- 
suit with such rapidity, that they reached the Catawba on the 
evening of the same day on which the Americans had crossed it ; 
and, before the next morning, a heavy fall of rain had rendered 
it impassable. A passage, at length, being effected, the pursuit 
was continued. By expeditious movements, the Americans 
crossed the Yadkin the second and third days of February, and 
secured their boats on the north side ; the British were again 
close in their rear, and were only prevented crossing through by 
the want of boats, and by a sudden and remarkable rise of the 
waters. This second interposition of Heaven served to confirm 
the Americans in the belief that their cause was favored by God. 

10. The passage of the Yadkin being thus effected, Greene 
proceeded to Guilford court-house ; where, having been joined by 
the remainder of his army, he continued his retreat towards 
Virginia, still hotly pursued by Comwallis. In their route, it was 
necessary to pass the Dan ; and here was their point of greatest 
danger. Comwallis was near at hand, and, like Pharaoh of old, 
was bent on destruction. 

11. They reached the banks. The deep waters were rolling 
before them. No time was to be lost. Lee's legion and Wash- 
ington's horsemen were stationed in the rear, to keep in check the 

uncommonly active. His eye was small, dark and piercing. His age wal 
about twenty-five. 

* Guilford court-house, now Greensborough, the capital of Guilford county f 
Virginia, is about eighty miles north-west from Raleigh. 

17* 



198 PERIOD IV.— 1776— 1783.— THE REVOLUTION. 

enemy, should he appear. About noon, a messenger announced 
the joyful tidings, that the army was safe on the opposite shore. 
Greene himself had not yet crossed. He had delayed, through 
anxiety for the safety of Lee, Washington, and their comrades. 

12. These now came dashing to the river side, and were soon 
making the passage. The last boat left the shore, as the British 
van reached the banks. This was the climax of disappointment, 
especially after a pursuit of two hundred and fifty miles. But 
it was an hour of intense joy to Greene and his army. Here 
Cornwallis abandoned the pursuit, and, turning south, established 
himself at Hillsborough, thirty-five miles north-west of Raleigh. 

13. Meanwhile, Greene's army being augmented, by reinforce- 
ments from Virginia, to forty-four hundred, he re-crossed the 
Dan into Carolina, and proceeding to Guilford court-house, 
awaited the approach of the enemy. On the 15th of March, 
Cornwallis appeared, with his army, and an engagement ensued. 
At first, the Carolina militia retreated, in disorder; but the 
regular troops stood their ground, for a time, with great firmness. 
At length, however, Greene felt compelled to order a general 
retreat, which left the field in possession of the enemy. But, if 
the result was a victory to the British, it was such as caused Fox 
to exclaim, when announced in the British-House of Commons, 
" Another such victory will ruin the British army." 

14. Following this battle, Cornwallis retired to Wilmington, 
and thence, after a halt of nearly three weeks, proceeded to Vir- 
ginia. Meanwhile, Greene decided to lead back his forces into 
South Carolina, and to fall on the line of British posts, between 
Ninety-Six and Charleston. It was a bold and hazardous experi- 
ment ; but, the decision once made, he took up his line of march, 
and in twelve days encamped on Hobkirk's Hill, a little more 
than a mile from Camden, where the British were strongly 
intrenched. 

15. Here, on the 25th, Bawdon drew out his forces, and 
appeared in battle array. The Americans were engaged cook- 
ing their food, of which for twenty-four hours they had been 
destitute. For a moment, there was confusion ; but, abandoning 
their meal, as Greene did his coffee, they stood in the order of 
battle. The action opened with promise to the Americans ; but 
at the critical moment, the Gunby regiment, mistaking the ordet 
of their leader (this was their apology), began to retreat.^ 

* This was the regiment which, at Guilford, had displayed great bravery i 
and upon which Greene now depended, perhaps, more than all others. I< 
the din of arms, it was said, they did not understand the order of their leader 



EXECUTION OF COLONEL HAYNE. 199 

16. Greene marked the movement with anguish ; but, in a 
moment, he sped his charger among them, — headed them, — 
rallied them ; — but it was too late. There was more fighting, 
but the battle was lost to the Americans. The killed, wounded 
and missing, were about equal on both sides. 

17. Following the battle of Hobkirk's Hill, otherwise known 
as the battle of Camden, Greene proceeded to Ninety-Six, ono 
hundred and forty-seven miles north-west from Charleston, a 
post of great natural strength, and strongly fortified. After 
prosecuting the siege of this place nearly four weeks, intelligence 
arrived of the rapid approach of Lord Rawdon, with large rein- 
forcements. Notwithstanding this, Greene determined on an 
assault. This was made on the 18th of June ; and, although 
made with admirable firmness, the Americans failed, and were 
compelled to raise the siege. 

18. Eawdon followed Greene some fifteen or twenty miles, 
on his retreat, when, returning to Ninety-Six, he ordered its 
evacuation, while he himself proceeded to Charleston. His army 
took post at Eutaw Springs. Leaving Colonel Stewart in com- 
mand of the British forces under him, Rawdon soon returned to 
England. 

19. Before sailing, however, an event occurred which reflected 
great dishonor upon Lord Rawdon, and still more upon Colonel 
Balfour, the commandant at Charleston. This was the execution 
of Colonel Isaac Hayne, who, to escape imprisonment, had, on 
the surrender of Charleston, given in his adhesion to the British 
authorities ; but subsequently, for good and sufficient reasons, as 
he thought, again taken up arms with the patriots. Being taken 
and brought before Balfour, he was condemned to death. It is 
said that Lord Rawdon, for a time, endeavored to shield him, but 
was finally persuaded to sanction his execution.^ 

* At the commencement of the war, Colonel Hayne was residing in the 
vicinity of Charleston, on a plantation, blessed with an ample fortune, a 
lovely family, and possessing a character of exalted worth. Animated with 
a zealous patriotism, he entered with ardor into the defence of Charleston. 
On the surrender of that city, he had the choice of becoming a British sub- 
ject, or going into imprisonment. He chose the former, out of regard to his 
family, which was on his plantation, languishing with small-pox; and his 
derision was sanctioned by his friends. At length, the fortune of war changed, 
and the British were compelled to act on the defensive. Although Colonel 
Hayne had been assured that he should not be called to take up arms 
against his country, these assurances were forgotten, and he, with others, 
was summoned to the British standard. To this he could not consent; and, 
besides, feeling released from an obligation which the British had themselvea 
violated, he once more joined the cause of his countrymen ; and, while acting 
as colonel of a regiment, he was taken prisoner, and confined in a dungeon. 
He had no trial, it is said, but was sentenced to death by Balfour. Tha 



200 PERIOD IV. — 1775—1783. — THE REVOLUTION. 

20. On the approach of the hot season, General Greene 
returned, with his forces, to the high hills of Santee.* Early in 
September, he approached the enemy, under Colonel Stewart, at 
Eutaw Springs. Here, on the 8th, occurred the battle of that 
name. The Americans were the first to commence the contest. 
The militia did themselves great credit. Indeed, both armies 
contended with a perseverance commensurate with the prize at 
stake. While, in the sequel, neither could claim a decided victory, 
the advantages rested with Greene. At the close of the battle, 
the belligerent armies united in burying their dead ! What a 
contrast to the spectacle exhibited a few hours before ! 

21. The battle of Eutaw Springs was the last general engage- 
ment in the south. Soon after, the British concentrated them- 
selves at Charleston. Here, for months, they were hemmed in 
and watched by the faithful and persevering Greene. But, at 
length, their situation became so distressing, that they determined 
to evacuate the city. This was carried into effect on the 13th 
of December, 1781. At three o'clock of the same day, Greene 
entered the city in triumph, when he was met with the exulting 
and welcoming shouts of an emancipated and rejoicing people, 
— " God bless you ! God bless you ! " 

22. Green merited it all. He loved his country, and most 
faithfully did he serve her. Washington said of him, — and 
it was all true, — " Could he but promote the interests of his 
country in the character of a corporal, he would exchange, with- 
out a murmur, his epaulets for the knot." 

23. We left Cornwallis moving from Wilmington towards 
Virginia (p. 198). In less than a month he reached Petersburg 
(May 20), where he found the troops of General Phillips, who 
had died a few days before his arrival. 

24. Early in the spring, General Washington had detached 
the Marquis de Lafayette, with three thousand men, to cooper- 
ate with the French fleet, in Virginia, in the capture of Arnold, 
who was committing depredations in that state. On the failure 
of this expedition, Lafayette marched back as far as the head of 
Elk river. Here he received orders to return to Virginia, to 
oppose the British. On his return, hearing of the advance of 
Cornwallis towards Petersburg, twenty miles below Richmond, 



royal governor and others petitioned for his pardon ; and his children, in the 
habiliments of mourning for a mother, appeared, and plead, with outstretched 
hands, for the life of a father; — but all in vain. Lord llawdon sanctioned 
the stern decree. 

* These hills are east of the Wateree river, some twenty miles from Cam' 
ien. 



CORNWALLIS AT YORKTOWN. 201 

he hastened his march, to prevent, if possible, the junction of 
Cornwallis with the troops under General Phillips. In this, 
however, he failed. 

25. One great object of Cornwallis now was to bring Lafay- 
ette to an engagement. Prudence, however, forbade the latter to 
run the hazard of a contest with an enemy of more than twice 
his force. He therefore continued to retreat. For a time, 
Cornwallis employed himself in destroying vast stores of public 
and private property, in the vicinity of James river ; and then, 
crossing that river, after several movements, proceeded to Ports- 
mouth. This he intended as a permanent post ; but, not approv- 
ing of it for that purpose, he concentrated his forces at Yorktown, 
on the south side of York river, which he immediately commenced 
fortifying. Gloucester Point, on the opposite side, was held by 
some six hundred men, under Colonel Tarleton. 

26. The campaign for 1781 had, for its grand object, the siege 
of New York, by the combined forces of the Americans, under 
Washington, and the French, under Count de Rochambeau,^ to 
be aided by a French fleet expected on the coast, under com- 
mand of Count de Grasse. In prosecution of this plan, the 
French troops left Rhode Island, and joined Washington, who 
had concentrated his forces at Kingsbridge, fifteen miles above 
New York. 

27. While all movements were being directed to the above 
enterprise, the plan of Washington was suddenly changed, by 
intelligence that the fleet under De Grasse would soon arrive in 
the Chesapeake, but would not proceed to New York. Corn- 
wallis, therefore, now became Washington's object ; and the com- 
bined troops, therefore, amounting to twelve thousand, took up 
their march from New York, and on the 30th of September 
appeared before Yorktown .t 

28. The Count de Grasse, already arrived, had so blocked up 
James and York rivers as to prevent the escape of Cornwallis 

* Count de Rochambeau was born in 1725. At sixteen, he entered the 
army. In 1780, he came, as Lieutenant-general, to America, at the head 
of six thousand troops. He was a fine officer. After the Revolution, he waa 
made a Marshal by Louis XVI. He narrowly escaped death under the 
tyranny of Robefipierre, during the French Revolution. In 1803, he wag 
presented to Bonaparte, who gave him a pension. His death took place in 
1809. 

f No movement, during the war, was more felicitously accomplished than 
the above of Washington, in withdrawing his troops from New York, while 
the British general was kept in utter ignorance of his object. The latter, 
supposing it a feint, to draw him to a general engagement, remained at hia 
ease ; nor were his suspicions awakened until Washington and his troops were 
ioaie distance on their way towards Virginia. 



202 PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783. — THE DEVOLUTION. 

by sea , and a force of two thousand French troops from the fleet 
having joined Lafayette at Williamsburg j cut off all his hope, 
if he indulged any, of retreating into the Southern States. 

29. While the combined armies were advancing to the siege 
of Yorktown, an excursion was made from New York, by Gene- 
ral Arnold, against New London, in his native state. The object 
of this expedition seems to have been to draw away a part of the 
American forces, Sir Henry Clinton knowing but too well that, 
if they were left at liberty to push the siege of Yorktown, the 
blockaded army must inevitably surrender. This expedition 
was signalized by the greatest atrocities. Fort Trumbull, on 
the west, and Fort Griswold, on the east side of the river Thames, 
feelow New London, were taken, and the greater part of that 
town was burnt. 

30. At Fort Trumbull, little or no resistance was made ; but 
Fort Griswold was defended, for a time, with great bravery and 
resolution. After the fort was carried, a British officer, enter- 
ing, inquired who commanded. Colonel Ledyard answered, "I 
did, but you do now," at the same time presenting his sword. 
The officer immediately plunged the sword into his bosom. A 
general massacre now took place, as well of those who surrendered 
as of those who resisted, which continued until nearly all the 
garrison were either killed or wounded. Sixty dwelling-houses, 
and eighty-four stores, in New London, were reduced to ashes. 

31. Much as Washington deplored the conduct of Arnold, he 
could not be diverted from his now one great object. The fall of 
Cornwallis involved the termination of the war. With this in 
view, there was no wavering of purpose, and no interruption of 
toil. 

32. We shall not enter into the details of this sieg-e. It com- 
menced on the evening of the 9th of October, and was opened by 
the American batteries upon the town, at the distance of si* 
hundred yards. From that time, night and day, the grand object 
was pursued, — one steady advance of the besiegers was effected. 
On the 16th, nearly one hundred pieces of heavy ordnance were, 
at the same time, pouring their terrible contents upon the walls 
and fortifications of the British, and with such effect as to level 
them, and dismount nearly every gun. 

33. One only hope now remained for Cornwallis. This was 
an attempt to retreat by way of Gloucester Point ; but, as if 
Providence had decided here to terminate this long and distress- 
ing war, a storm arose on the night of the 16th, the time appointed 
for the attempted escape, and dispersed his boats, after one 
division had crossed the river. No alternative now remained 



SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS. 203 

but to capitulate. On the 19th, the posts of York and Glouces- 
ter were surrendered, — the British army, to Washington ; the 
British fleet, to De Grasse.^ 

34. Five days after the surrender of Cornwallis, Sir Henry 
Clinton made his appearance off the capes of Virginia, with a 
reinforcement of seven thousand men ; but, receiving intelligence 
of his lordship's fate, he returned to New York. Cornwallis, in 
his despatches to Sir Henry, more than hinted that his fall had 
been produced by a too firm reliance on promises that no pains 
were taken to fulfil. Clinton had promised Cornwallis that this 
auxiliary force should leave New York on the 5th of October ; 
but, for reasons never explained, it did not sail until the 19th, 
the very day that decided the fate of the army. 

35. Nothing could exceed the joy of the American people at 
this great and important victory over Lord Cornwallis. Exult- 
ation broke forth from one extremity of the country to the other. 
To the unanimous acclaim of the people Congress joined the 
authority of its resolves. It addressed thanks to the generals, 
oflicers, and soldiers, — presented British colors, — ordered the 
erection of a marble column, — and went into procession to 
church, to render public thanksgiving to God for the recent 
victory. The 30th of December was appointed as a day of 
national thanksgiving. 

36. The fall of Cornwallis may be considered as substantially 

* General Lincoln was appointed, by the commander-in-chief, to receive 
the submission of the royal army, in the same manner in which, eighteen 
months before (p. 188), Cornwallis had received that of the Americans at 
Charleston. 

The spectacle was impressive and affecting. The road through which the 
captive army marched was lined with spectators, French and American. On 
one side, the commander-in-chief, surrounded with his suite, and the Ameri- 
can staff, took his station ; on the other side, opposite to him, was the Count 
de Roehambeau, in the like manner attended. 

The captive army approached, moving slowly in column, with grace and 
precision. Universal silence was observed amidst the vast concourse, and 
the utmost decency prevailed, exhibiting an awful sense of the vicissitudes 
of human life, mingled with commiseration for the unhappy. 

Every eye was now turned, searching for the British commander-in-chief, 
anxious to look at the man heretofore so much the object of their dread. All 
were disappointed. Cornwallis, unable to bear the humiliation of marching 
at the head of his garrison, constituted General O'Hara his representative on 
the occasion. 

The post of Gloucester, falling with that of York, was delivered up, the 
game day, by Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton. 

At the termination of the siege, the besieging army amounted to sixteen 
thousand. The British force nunilc~«d seven thousand one hundred and 
Beven, of which only four thousand and seven, rank and file, are stated to 
have been fit for duty. The artillery surrendered consisted of one hundred 
%nd sixty pieces, the greater part of which were brass. 



204 



PERIOD IV. — 1776—1783. — TIIE REVOLUTION 



closing the war. A few posts of importance were still held by 
the British, — New York, Charleston, and Savannah, — but all 
other parts of the country, which they had possessed, wero 
recovered into the power of Congress. A few skirmishes alone 
indicated the continuance of war. A part of the French army, 
soon after the capture of Cornwallis, reembarked, and Count de 
Grasse sailed for the West Indies. Count Rochainbeau can- 
toned his army for the winter, 1782, in Virginia ; and the main 
body of the Americans returned, by the way of the Chesapeake, 
to their former position, on the Hudson. 

* . 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1781-3. 



Appointment of Peace Com- 
missioners. 
Cessation of Hostilities. 
Farewell Orders of Washington. 



Adieu to his Officers. 
Resignation of his Commission. 
Treaty of Peace. 



1. From the 12th of December, 1781, to the 4th of March 
1782, motion after motion was made, in the British Parliament, 
for putting an end to the war in America. On this latter day, 
the commons resolved, " that the house would consider as 
enemies to his majesty, and to the country, all those who should 
advise or attempt the further prosecution of offensive war on 
the continent of North America." 

2. On the same day, the command of his majesty's forces in 
America was taken from Sir Henry Clinton, and given to Sir 
Guy Carlton,* who was instructed to promote the wishes of 
Great Britain, for an accommodation with the United States. 
In accordance with these instructions, Carlton endeavored to 
open a correspondence with Congress ; and, with this view, sent to 
General Washington to solicit a passport for his secretary. But 
this was refused, since Congress would enter into no negotiations, 
but in concert with his most Christian majesty. 

3. The French court, on receiving intelligence of the sur- 
render of Cornwallis, pressed upon Congress the appointment of 
commissioners for negotiating peace with Great Britain. Accord- 
ingly, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry 
Laurens, were appointed. These commissioners met Mr. Fitz- 
herbert and Mr. Oswald, on the part of Great Britain, at Paris, 

* Sir Guy Carlton was born in Ireland, in 1722. In 1748, he becami 
Lieutenant-colonel. In 1759, he was at the siege of Quebec, under Wolfe. 
He was a distinguished man. In 1790, he was created Baron Dorchester 
He died in 1803. 



ARMY DISBANDED. 205 

and provisional articles of peace between the two countries were 
signed, November 30th, 1782. The definitive treaty was signed 
on the 3d of September, 1783. Although the treaty was not 
signed until September, a state of peace had actually existed 
from the commencement of the year 1783. A formal proclama- 
tion of the cessation of hostilities was made, through the army, 
on the 19 th of April ; the eighth anniversary of the battle of 
Lexington. Savannah was evacuated by the British in July, 
New York in November, and Charleston in the following month. 

4. The third of November was assigned by Congress for dis- 
banding the army of the United States. On the day previous, 
Washington issued his farewell orders, and bade an affectionate 
adieu to the soldiers who had fought and bled by his side.^ After 
mentioning the trying times through which he had passed, and 
the unexampled patience which, under every circumstance of suf- 
fering, his army had evinced, he passed to the glorious prospects 
opening before them and their country, and then bade them adieu 
in the following words : " Being now to conclude these his last 
public orders, to take his ultimate leave, in a short time, of the mil- 
itary character, and to bid a final adieu to the armies he has so long 
had the honor to command, he can only again offer, in their behalf, 
his recommendations to their grateful country, and his prayer to 
the God of armies. May ample justice be done them here ; and 
may the choicest favor, both here and hereafter, attend those, 
who, under the divine auspices, have secured innumerable bless- 
ings for others ! With these wishes, and this benediction, the 
commander-in-chief is about to retire from service. The curtain 
of separation will soon be drawn, and the military scene to him 
will be closed forever." 

5. Soon after taking leave of the army, General Washington 
was called to the still more painful hour of separation from his 
officers, greatly endeared to him by a long series of common 
sufferings and dangers. The officers having previously assembled 
in New York for the purpose, General Washington now joined 

* The disbanding of the army involved considerations of the deepest 
interest. Thousands were to be thrown out of service, — and what could they 
do 1 Neither officers nor soldiers, for a long time, had received any pay ; and 
the state of the public finances now rendered payment impossible. In this 
state, a very exciting appeal was made to the officers, in a letter, afterwards 
ascribed to John Armstrong, in which he recommended measures of redress, 
or a refusal to disband. It was an artful and even eloquent address; and, 
but for the firmness and prudence of Washington, it would have had ita 
designed effect. The influence of that great man, however, prevailed. The 
officers decided, at a meeting Which Washington called, and at which Gates 
presided, that they would do nothing which should tend to sully the glorj 
they had acquired in their country's service. 

18 



206 PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783. — THE REVOLUTION 

them, and, calling for a glass of wine, thus addressed them : - 
" With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take my leava 
of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as 
prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious 
and honorable." Having thus affectionately addressed them, he 
now took each by the hand, and bade him farewell. Followed 
by them to the side of the Hudson, he entered a barge, and, 
while tears rolled down his cheeks, he turned towards the com- 
panions of his glory, and bade them a silent adieu. 

6. December 23d, "Washington appeared in the hall of Con- 
gress, and resigned to them the commission which they had 
given him, as commander-in-chief of the armies of the United 
States. After having spoken of the accomplishment of his 
wishes and exertions, in the independence of his country, and 
commended his officers and soldiers to Congress, he concluded as 
follows : — "I consider it an indispensable duty to close the last 
solemn act of my official life, by commending the interests of our 
dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those 
who have the superintendence of them to his holy keeping. 
Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the 
great theatre of action ; and, bidding an affectionate farewell to 
this august body, under whose orders I have long acted, I here 
offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments 
of public life." 

7. Upon accepting his commission, Congress, through their 
president, expressed, in glowing language, to Washington, their 
high sense of his wisdom and energy in conducting the war to so 
happy a termination, and invoked the choicest blessings upon his 
future life. President Mifflin concluded as follows : — " We join 
you in commending the interest of our dearest country to the pro- 
tection of Almighty God, beseeching him to dispose the hearts 
and minds of its citizens to improve the opportunity afforded them 
of becoming a happy and respectable nation. And, for you, wo 
address to Him our earnest prayers, that a life so beloved may 
be fostered with all his care ; that your days may be as happy 
as they have been illustrious ; and that he will finally give you 
that reward which this world cannot give." 

8. A profound silence now pervaded the assembly. The 
grandeur of the scene, the recollection of the past, the felicity 
of the present, and the hopes of the future, crowded fast upon 
all, while they united in invoking blessings upon the man, who 
under God, had achieved so much, and who now, in the char* 
acter of a mere citizen, was hastening to a long-desired repose at 
his seat, at Mount Yernon, in Virginia, 



FIRST NAVAL ENGAGEMENT. 



207 



HISTORY OF THE NAVAL OPERATIONS, DURING 
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 

1. At the commencement of the Revolutionary struggle, the 
colonies had no naval force to aid their cause. But no sooner 
had the struggle commenced, than many brave and patriotic 
men began to digest plans, not for competing with the navy of 
Great Britain, but for cruising against her commerce. The 
seamen of the colonies were at home on the deep. They were 
bold, hardy, and adventurous. 

2. The news of the battle of Lexington reached Machias, in 
Maine, May 9th, 1775. The people were roused, and ready to 
act in some way. At this time, there was lying in that port a 
British armed schooner, called the Margaretta. A plan was 
now devised to capture her. A sloop was manned with thirty 
men, and chase given after the schooner, the captain of which, 
suspecting some such design, had weighed anchor and put out 
to sea. 

3. The sloop, being the better sailer, at length came up with 
the schooner. An action ensued, which was of short duration, 
but resulted in favor of the Americans. Twenty men, on both 
sides, were killed and wounded. Among the former was Cap- 
tain Moore, commander of the schooner. Such was the first 
naval engagement in the war of the Revolution. It was wholly 
a private aflair. 

4. Before the subject of a naval force had received the atten- 
tion of Congress, three of the colonies — Massachusetts, Rhode 
Island, and Connecticut — had provided each two vessels, fitted, 
armed and equipped, without the orders or advice of Con- 
gress. 

5. But, in 1775, that body took the subject into serious con- 
sideration, authorizing a regular marine. Vessels were to ba 
built in the four colonies of New England, in New York, Penn- 
sylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The following is a list of 
their names and respective rates, as ordered, as well as tha 
fx lony where each was to be built, namely : 





Guns. 




Guns. 




Washington 


32, 


Pennsylvania. 


Effingham, 28, 


Pennsylvania. 


Raleigh, 


32, 


New Hampshire. 


Congress, 28, 


New York. 


Eancock, 


32, 


Massachusetts. 


Providence, 28, 


Rhode Island. 


Randolph, 


32, 


Pennsylvania. 


Boston, 24, 


Massachusetts. 


Warren, 


32, 


Rhode Island. 


Montgomery, 24, 


New York. 


Maryland, 


28, 


Virginia. 


Delaware, 24, 


Pennsylvania. 


Crumbu.ll, 


28, 


Connecticut. 







208 PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783. — TIIE REVOLUTION. 

6. Such was the design of Congress ; but, for want of funds, - 
but more for want of materials to equip them, such as guns, 
anchors, rigging, &c, — but few of the above got to sea, in the 
service for which they were built. These were the Raleigh, 
Hancock; Boston, Warren, Providence, Maryland, and Ran- 
dolph. The Congress and Montgomery were burnt on the Hud- 
son, to prevent their falling into the hands of the British. The 
Washington and Effingham were burnt by the British them- 
selves. The Delaware fell into their hands, at Philadelphia. 

7. Such was the commencement of the American navy. 
Ezekiel Hopkins was placed at the head of it, with the title of 
" Commander-in-chief; " but his usual appellation was " Com- 
modore." His pay was one hundred and twenty-five dollars 
per month. There were twenty-four naval officers appointed, 
with the rank of captain. 

8. The flag used on board of some ships bore a device, rep- 
resenting a pine-tree, with a rattle-snake coiled at the root and 
ready to strike, with the appropriate motto, " Don't tread on 
me." Other vessels adopted the arms of the colony from which 
they sailed. In 1777, Congress adopted our present national 
colors. 

9. Many of our naval officers were high-spirited and intelli- 
gent men. Those whose names have descended to us with great- 
est reputation were Commodore Hopkins ; Captains Manly, Mug- 
ford, Jones, Barry, Barney, W r aters, .Young, Tucker, Talbot, 
Nicholson, — commander-in-chief after Hopkins, — Williams, 
Biddle, Robinson, Wickes, Rathburne, and Hacket. 

10. Not a few of the commanders of the privateers were dis- 
tinguished for their nautical skill. The privateers were numer- 
ous and successful. It has been estimated that during the war 
they captured not less than twelve hundred and ninety-seven 
vessels, not including those taken by public ships. It may be 
added, that generally the commanders of privateers were men 
of principle and humanity. Indeed, instances of the most mag- 
nanimous conduct among them might be given. 

11. The records of engagements by the regular marine are 
nearly as abundant and circumstantial, as those of the American 
navy during the late war with Great Britain. But our limits 
will not allow us to enter into details of these exploits on the 
ocean. Spirited actions occurred between the Randolph and 
Yarmouth, the Raleigh and Druid, the Trumbull and Watt, the 
Congress and Savage, &c. ; but, of all the naval engagements 
which occurred during the war, that between the Bon Homme 
Richard, of forty guns, and the Serapis, — the latter a British 



BON HOMME AND SERAPIS. 209 

frigate mounting forty-four guns, — was the most remarkable ; 
and in the history of naval warfare has scarcely a parallel. 

12. The Richard was commanded by that remarkable man, 
Paul Jones, whose history is a romance ; the commander of the 
Serapis was Captain Pearson. The action occurred on the coast 
of Scotland, September 23d, 1779. It was commenced by a 
flotilla of French and American vessels, and two English frigates 
convoying a fleet of merchantmen. At half-past seven in the 
evening, the two frigates Bon Homme and Serapis came in con- 
tact, upon which Jones lashed them together. In this situation, 
the battle between them raged for more than two hours, each 
dealing out to the other the fire and thunder of its guns, as fast 
as they could be loaded. 

13. At length, both ships were on fire, and the Richard on 
the point of sinking ! In this awful moment, a sad mistake 
occurred. The Alliance, an American frigate, came up to Jones' 
assistance ; but, in the darkness of the night, she poured her 
entire broad-side into the Richard, and caused sad destruction ; 
but, soon perceiving her mistake, she joined her companion, and 
with such zeal that the Serapis was soon compelled to surrender. 
Both vessels were covered with the blood of their brave crews. 
Of three hundred and seventy-five men on board the Richard, 
three hundred were either killed or wounded ; while the loss of 
the Serapis was one hundred and fifty, — nearly half her crew. 
On an examination of the Richard, it was found necessary to 
abandon her. The wounded were consequently removed to the 
Serapis, and, on the following day, the gallant ship settled slowly 
into the sea. 

14. It belongs to this place to notice briefly an invention by 
David Bushnell, a native of Connecticut, in the year 1777, to 
blow up ships by means of torpedoes, as he called them. The 
torpedo bore a resemblance to two upper tortoise-shells, of equal 
sizes, placed in contact, and so large as to contain a man. It 
was fixed with glass windows, and with air-pipes and ventilators, 
so that the operator could breathe. Behind this sub-marine 
vessel was a powder magazine, made water-tight, and capable of 
holding one hundred and fifty pounds of powder. It was fitted 
with an apparatus for firing the powder ; and could at any time 
be detached from the vessel, by turning a screw, and attached 
by other apparatus to the bottom of the intended victim. 

15. With torpedoes of the above construction, Bushnell made 
eeveral attempts to blow up British vessels in the American 
waters, — in none of which, however, was he entirely successful 
But, in a single instance, a schooner was destroyed, and three 

18* 



210 PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783. — THE REVOLUTION. 

men killed, and one badly injured. The men perceiving a line 
floating, and supposing it to be a fishing-line, drew it on board ; 
when the machine attached to the end of it exploded, with the 
above result. It scarcely needs be added, that such a mode of 
warfare is too inhuman to be encouraged by civilized nations. 
But it is said that his failure cast a deep and permanent gloom 
over the mind of Bushnell. 



NOTES 

Manners. — 1. At the commencement of the Revolution, the 
colonists of America were a mass of husbandmen, merchants, 
mechanics and fishermen, who were occupied in the ordinary 
avocations of their respective callings, and were entitled to the 
appellation of a sober, honest, and industrious set of people. 
Being, however, under the control of a country whose jealousies 
were early and strongly enlisted against them, and which, there- 
fore, was eager to repress every attempt, on their part, to rise, 
they had comparatively little scope or encouragement for exer- 
tion and enterprise. 

2. But, when the struggle for independence began, the case was 
altered. New fields for exertion were opened, and new and still 
stronger impulses actuated their bosoms. A great change was 
suddenly wrought in the American people, and a vast expansion 
of character took place. Those who were before only known in 
the humble sphere of peaceful occupation soon shone forth in the 
cabinet or in the field, fully qualified to cope with the trained 
generals and statesmen of Europe. 

3. But, although the Revolution caused such an expansion 
of character in the American people, and called forth the most 
striking patriotism among all classes, it introduced, at the same 
time, greater looseness of manners and morals. An army always 
carries deep vices in its train, and communicates its corruption 
to society around it. Besides this, the failure of public credit 
so far put it out of the power of individuals to perform private 
engagements, that the breach of them became common ; and, at 
length, was scarcely disgraceful. That high sense of integrity 
which had extensively existed before was thus exchanged for 
more loose and slippery notions of honesty and honor. 

4. " On the whole," says Dr. Ramsay, who wrote soon after 
the close of this period, " the literary, political, and military 
talents of the United States, have been improved by the Revolu- 
tion ■ but their moral character is inferior to what it formerly 
was So great is the change for the worse," continues he, " that 



TRADE AND COMMERCE. 211 

the friends of public order are loudly called upon to exert their 
utmost abilities in extirpating the vicious principles and habits 
which have taken deep root during the late convulsions." 

Religion. — 5. During the Revolution, the colonies being all 
united in one cause, — a Congress being assembled from all parts 
of America, — and more frequent intercourse between different 
parts of the country being promoted by the shifting of the armies, 
local prejudices and sectarian asperities were obliterated, reli- 
gious controversy was suspended, and bigotry softened. That 
spirit of intolerance which had marked some portions of the 
country was nearly done away. 

6. But, for these advantages, the Revolution brought with it 
great disadvantages, to religion in general. The atheistical phi- 
losophy, which had been spread over France, and which would 
involve the whole subject of religion in the gloomy mists of 
scepticism, — which acknowledges no distinction between right 
and wrong, and considers a future existence as a dream, that 
may or may not be realized, — was thickly sown, in the Ameri- 
can army, by the French ; and, uniting with the infidelity which 
before had taken root in the country, produced a serious declen- 
sion in the tone of religious feelings among the American peo- 
ple. In addition to this, religious institutions, during the war, 
were much neglected ; churches were demolished, or converted 
into barracks; public worship was often suspended; and the 
clergy suffered severely from the reduction of their salaries, 
caused by the depreciation of the circulating medium. 

Trade and Commerce. — 7. During the war of the Revolu- 
tion, the commerce of the United States was interrupted, not 
only with Great Britain, but, in a great measure, with the rest 
of the world. The greater part of the shipping belonging to 
the country was destroyed by the enemy, or perished by a 
natural process of decay. Our coasts were so lined with British 
cruisers as to render navigation too hazardous to be pursued to 
any considerable extent. Some privateers, however, were fitted 
out, which succeeded in capturing several valuable prizes, on 
board of which were arms, and other munitions of war. Dur- 
ing the last three years of the war, an illicit trade to Spanish 
America was carried on ; but it was extremely limited. 

Agriculture. — 8. Agriculture was greatly interrupted, dur- 
ing this period, by the withdrawing of laborers to the camp, by 
the want of encouragement furnished by exportation, and by the 
distractions which disturbed all the occupations of society. The 
army often suffered for the means of subsistence, and the officers 



212 PERIOD IV. — 1775— 1783.— THE REVOLUTION'. 

were sometimes forced to compel the inhabitants to furnish the 
soldiers food in sufficient quantities to prevent their suffering. 

Arts and Manufactures. — 9. The trade with England, dur- 
ing this period, being interrupted by the war, the people of the 
United States were compelled to manufacture for themselves. 
Encouragement was given to all necessary manufactures, and the 
zeal, ingenuity, and industry of the people, furnished the coun- 
try with articles of prime necessity ; and, in a measure, supplied 
the place of a foreign market. Such was the progress in arts 
and manufactures, during the period, that, after the return of 
peace, when an uninterrupted intercourse with England was 
again opened, some articles, which before were imported alto- 
gether, were found so well and so abundantly manufactured at 
home, that their importation was stopped. 

Population. — 10. The increase of the people of the Unitea 
States, during this period, was small. Few, if any, emigrants 
arrived in the country. Many of the inhabitants were slain in 
battle, and thousands of that class called Tories left the land, 
who never returned. Perhaps we may fairly estimate the in- 
habitants of the country, about the close of this period, 1784, at 
three millions two hundred and fifty thousand. 

Education. — 11. The interests of education suffered, in 
common with other kindred interests, during the war. In sev- 
eral colleges, the course of instruction was, for a season, sus- 
pended ; the hall was exchanged by the students for the camp, 
and the gown for the sword and epaulet. The number of col- 
leges and academies in the United States, at the close of the 
period, is estimated at only twenty or twenty-five. 

Reflections. — 12. The American Revolution is doubtless 
the most interesting event in the pagea of modern history. 
Changes equally great, and convulsions equally violent, have 
often taken place; and the history of man tells us of many in- 
stances in which oppression, urged beyond endurance, has called 
forth the spirit of successful and triumphant resistance. But, in 
the event before us, we see feeble colonies, without an army, 
without a navy, without an established government, without a 
revenue, without munitions of war, without fortifications, boldly 
stepping fofith to meet the veteran armies of a proud, powerful, 
and vindictive enemy. We see these colonies, amidst want, 
poverty and misfortune, supported by the pervading spirit of 
liberty, and guided by the good hand of Heaven, for nearly 
eight years sustaining the weight of a cruel conflict, upon their 
own acil. We see them at length victorious ; their enemies 
6ullenly retire from their shores, and these humble colonies 



REFLECTIONS 213 

stand forth enrolled on the page of history, a free sovereign, and 
independent nation. Nor is this all. We see a wise govern- 
ment springing up from the blood that was spilt ; and, down to 
our own time, shedding the choicest political blessings upon sev- 
eral millions of people. 

13. What nation can dwell with more just satisfaction upon 
its annals than ours ? Almost all others trace their foundation 
to some ambitious and bloody conqueror, who sought only by 
enslaving others to aggrandize himself. Our independence was 
won by the people, who fought for the natural rights of man, 
Other nations have left their annals stained with the crimes of 
their people and princes ; our annals shine with the glowing traces 
of patriotism, constancy and courage, amidst every rank of life 
and every grade of office. 

14. Whenever we advert to this portion of our history, and 
review it, as we well may, with patriotic interest, let us not for- 
get the gratitude we owe, as well to those who " fought, and 
bled, and died" for us, as to that benignant Providence whc 
stayed the proud waves of British tyranny. Let us also gather 
political wisdom from the American Revolution. It has taught 
the world, emphatically, that oppression tends to weaken and 
destroy the power of the oppressor ; that a people united in the 
cause of liberty are invincible by those who would enslave them ; 
and that Heaven will ever frown upon the cause of injustice, 
and ultimately grant success to those who oppose it. 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD V. 



DISTINGUISHED FOR THE FORMATION AND ESTAB. 
LISHMENT OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. 

EXTENDING FROM THE DISBANDING OF TIIE ARMY, 1783, 
TO THE INAUGURATION OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, AS 
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, UNDER THE FED 
ERAL CONSTITUTION, 1789. 

1. The war of the Revolution was now closed. The British 
troops had retired from the country. The American army was 
disbanded. The great object of the colonies had been accom- 
plished — they were Free and Independent. What further 
could they expect ? "What more desire ? 

2. During the war, the American people had been looking 
forward to the state to which they had now attained, as likely to 
insure everything they wanted. But, in a short time, they 
perceived their error. They were independent ; but they had 
no adequate bond of union among themselves, — they had no 
federal constitution. 

3. But they had the Confederation. True, they had that, 
and under that they went through the war.^ But it proved, as 
it was called, " a rope of sand." By it, Congress had power to 
declare war ; to borrow money, or to issue bills of credit, to carry 
it on. But it had no power to lay* a tax of one cent for any 
purpose whatsoever ; and, therefore, it had no ability to pay the 
debts incurred by the war. And yet, these debts now amounted 
to more than forty millions of dollars. Congress could advise 
the several states to raise money ; but it could do no more. 

4. What should be done ? It was proposed that the states 
should grant power to Congress to lay a duty of five per cent, 
on all imported foreign goods, and that this revenue should b<j 
ftppL'ed to the discharge of the public debt. But Rhode Island 

* See page 181. 



CONVENTION AT PHILADELPHIA. 215 

would not agree ; and, then, New York refused her consent. 
And the consequence was, that debt and interest remained unpaid, 
and the poor officers and soldiers could not get their dues, and 
were obliged to sell to speculators their certificates, for almost 
nothing. 

5. Congress called upon the states to raise funds ; if for no 
other purpose, at least, to pay the soldiers. But what could the 
Legislatures do ? The people were poor, and the states had local 
debts to provide for. Some of the states attempted to lay taxes 
to support their credit, and satisfy their creditors. This, in 
Massachusetts, produced the memorable insurrection called 
" Shays' Insurrection," because headed by one Daniel Shays ; 
and during which, one thousand five hundred or two thousand 
of the inhabitants in the north-western part of the state assem- 
bled, and demanded that the collection of debts should be 
suspended, and that the Legislature should authorize the emis- 
sion of paper money for general circulation. So formidable was 
this gathering as to require an armed force of several thousand 
to suppress it. 

6. At length, the conviction was general, that an evil existed 
for which some remedy must be found ; either the articles of 
confederation must be amended, or a new constitution be framed. 

7. In 1786, Virginia recommended a convention at Annapolis 
to establish a better system of commercial regulations. At this 
convention, only five states were represented ; in consideration 
of which, they adjourned, to meet at Philadelphia the succeeding 
May, at the same time recommending to the several states to 
appoint delegates to that meeting, with power to revise the Fed- 
eral system. Agreeably to the above recommendation, the 
several states of the Union, excepting Rhode Island, appointed 
commissioners, who convened at Philadelphia. Of this body, 
consisting of fifty-five members, George Washington, one of the 
delegates from Virginia, was unanimously elected president. 
The convention proceeded, with closed doors, to discuss the inter- 
esting subjects submitted to their consideration. 

8. The first question discussed by the convention was, " whether 
the articles of confederation should be revised and amended." 
This, at length, being decided in the negative, the convention 
proceeded to the formation of a new constitution. After a ses- 
sion of about four months, a constitution was agreed on,^ which, 

* On several occasions during the deliberations of the convention, it was 
quite doubtful whether it would so far harmonize as to agree upon anything. 
On one question particularly it came near dissolving, — namely, whether the 
imall states should have, as they demanded, an equal vote as the largo 



216 PERIOD V. — 1783— 1789. — THE CONSTITUTION 

after being submitted to Congress, was sent to conventions of 
the people in the several states for their ratification. Among 
the states great diversity of opinion prevailed ; and, for a time, it 
was doubtful whether the requisite number — nine states — would 
ratify it by the time appointed. But, at length, not only that 
number was attained, but all gave their assent, in the following 
order : 

By Convention of Delaware, December 7, 1787. 

By Convention of Pennsylvania, . . . December 12, 1787. 

By Convention of New Jersey, . . . . December 18, 1787. 

By Convention of Georgia, January 9, 1788. 

By Convention of Connecticut, . . . . June 9, 1788. 

By Convention of Massachusetts, . . . February 6, 1788. 

By Convention of Maryland, April 28, 1788. 

States in the Senate 1 At this interesting and solemn crisis, Dr. Franklin 
rose, and, addressing himself to the president, among other things, said : 
" Sir, how has it happened, that while groping so long in the dark, — divided 
in our opinions, and now ready to separate without accomplishing the great 
objects of our meeting, — that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly 
applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our understandings 1 In the 
beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we 
had daily prayer in this room for divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were 
heard ; and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged 
in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending 
Providence in our favor. To that kind Providence we owe this happy oppor- 
tunity of consulting, in peace, on the means of establishing our future 
national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend 1 or do 
we imagine that we no longer need its assistance 1 I have lived, sir, a long 
time ; and, the longer I live, the more convincing proof I see of this truth, 
that God governs the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the 
ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his 
aid % We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings, that except the 
'Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.' I firmly believe 
this ; and I also believe that, without his concurring aid, we shall succeed 
in this political building no better than the builders of Babel ; we shall be 
divided by our little partial local interests ; our projects will be confounded, 
and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a by-word to future ages. 
And, what is worse, mankind may hereafter, from this important instance, 
despair of establishing government by human wisdom, and leave it to chance, 
war or conquest. 

" I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers, imploring the 
assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this 
assembly every morning before we proceed to business ; and that one or 
more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service." 

This suggestion, it need scarcely be said, was favorably received by the 
convention; and, from that time, the guidance of divine wisdom was daily 
sought. As might be expected, greater harmony prevailed ; the spirit of 
concession pervaded the convention ; a motion was made for the appointment 
of a committee, to take into consideration both branches of the Legislature. 
This motion prevailing, a committee was accordingly chosen by ballot, con- 
sisting of one from each state ; and the convention adjourned for three days. 

On the meeting of the convention, after this adjournment, the above com- 
mittee reported to the satisfaction of all, and the body proceeded to organize 
the legislative and other departments of the government. 



CONSTITUTION RATIFIED. 217 

By Convention of South Carolina, . . . May 23, 1788. 

By Convention of New Hampshire, . . June 21, 1788. 

By Convention of Virginia, June 26, 1788. 

By Convention of New York, July 26, 1788. 

By Convention of North Carolina, . . . November 21, 1788 
By Convention of Rhode Island, . . . May 29, 1790 

9. It may be added, that at the first session of Congress 
under the constitution, that body recommended the adoption 
of twelve amendments, chiefly relating to freedom of speech and 
of the press, the right of petition, trial by jury, bail, election of 
president, &c. Ten of these amendments were adopted by 
three-fourths of the Legislatures of the states. Subsequently, 
two others were added. 

10. On the ratification of the constitution, the attention of 
the people was at once directed to General Washington, as the 
first President of the United States. The wishes of this great 
and good man were " to live and die in peace and retirement ;" 
but the nation demanded his services, and he obeyed. He was 
unanimously elected president, as well by Anti-Federalists as 
Federalists (for by these names the parties in favor of and 
against the constitution were called). John Adams was elected 
rice-president. 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD VI. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON, Virginia, President. 
Inaugurated at New York, April 30th, 17S9 ; retired March 3d, 179 

JOHN ADAMS, Massachusetts, Vice-pbesideht. 



HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENTS. 



Thomas Jefferson, 
Edmund Randolph, 
Timothy Pickering, 
Alexander Hamilton, 
Oliver Wolcott, 
Henry Knox, 
Timothy Pickering, 
James McHenry, 
Samuel Osgood, 
Timothy Pickering, 
Joseph Habersham, 
Edmund Randolph, 
William Bradford, 
Charles Lee, 



Virginia, Sept. 2f>, 17S9, ^ 

Virginia, Jan. 2, 1794, > Secretaries of State. 

Penn., Dec. 10, 1795, ) 

N.York, Sept. 11, 1789, ) c , . ,_, . 

Conn., Feb. 3, lTOo! ^ Secretaries of Treas> 

Mass., Sept. 12, 1789, 

Penn., Jan. 2, 1795, 

Maryland, Jan. 27, 179G, 

Mass., Sept. 2G, 1789, 

Penn., Nov. 7, 1791, 

Georgia, Feb. 25, 1795, 

Virginia, Sept. 26, 1789, 

Penn., Jan. 27, 1794, 

Virginia, Dec. 10, 1795, 



Secretaries of War. 



Postmasters General. 



Attorneys General 



speakers of the house of representatives. 



Frederick A. Muhlenberg, 
Jonathan Trumbull, 
Frederick A. Muhlenberg, 
Jonathan Dayton, 



Pennsylvania, 
Connecticut, 
Pennsylvania, 
New Jersey, 



First Congress, 
Second do. 
Third do. 
Fourth do. 



1789. 
1791. 
1793. 
1795. 



1. The inauguration of General Washington took place in tho 
presence of the first Congress under the Federal Constitution, 
and an immense concourse of spectators, the Chancellor of tho 
State of New York administering the oath of office. The cere- 
monies of the occasion being concluded, Washington entered th*e 
Senate-chamber, and delivered his first speech. In this, after 
expressing the reluctance with which he obeyed the call of his 
countrymen, and the diffidence with which he entered upon an 
office so full of responsibility, he proceeded : " It will be pecu- 
liarly impropei to omit, in this first official act, my fervent sup 



GOVERNMENT ORGANIZED. 



219 



plications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, 
who presides in the councils of nations." Immediately after his 
inaugural address, with the members of both houses, he attended 
divine service at St. Paul's chapel. Thus, in the commencement 
of his administration, did Washington, by every suitable means, 
acknowledge his sense of personal dependence upon divine wis- 
dom, to guide with discretion the affairs of a nation committed 
to his care ; thus did he set an example worthy of imitation by 
all who are elevated to places of authority and responsibility. 

2. The acts and events which signalized his administration 
relate to a 



Reelection of "Washington. 
Difficulties with France. 
Insurrection in Pennsylvania. 
Prohibition of the Slave-trade. 
Jay's Treaty. 
Admission of Tennessee. 
Election of Mr. Adams. 
Farewell Address. 



System of Revenue. 
Regulation of Departments. 
Establishment of a Judiciary. 
Assumption of Debts. 
Removal of Seat of Government. 
National Bank. 
Admission of Vermont. 
Indian War. 
Admission of Kentucky. 

I. System of Revenue. — The first duty of Congress, under 
the Federal Constitution, was to provide a revenue for the sup- 
port of government. For this purpose, duties were iaid on 
imported merchandise, and on the tonnage of vessels. To en- 
courage American shipping, higher tonnage-duties were imposed 
on foreign than on American vessels, and ten per cent, less duty 
on goods imported in American than in foreign vessels. 

II. Regulation of Departments. — Three executive depart- 
ments were created, designed to aid the president in the manage- 
ment of the government. They were styled Departments of 
War, of Foreign Affairs,^ and of the Treasury. The heads of 
these departments were styled Secretaries. They were intended 
to constitute a council, to be consulted by the president at his 
pleasure ; and their opinions on all important questions he was 
authorized to require in writing. 

III. Establishment of a Judiciary. — A national judiciary, 
also, was established during this first session of Congress, consist- 
ing of a Supreme Court, and Circuit and District Courts. The 
Supreme Court had one chief-justice, and five associate judges. 

* Since called Department of State. The Navy Department was created 
subsequently. Aside from advising the president when called upon, the 
respective duties of these secretaries are indicated by the titles of their 
departments. 



220 PEEIOD VI. — 1789— 1797. — WASHINGTON. 

District Courts were to consist of one judge in each state ; Cir- 
cuit Courts, of a judge of the Supreme Court and the District 
judge. This system has remained nearly the same to the pres- 
ent time, except in the elder Adams' presidency ; and then only 
for a short time, when the number of judges was increased. 
John Jay was the first chief-justice, and Edmund Randolph the 
first attorney-general. 

IV. Assumption of Debts. — On the meeting of the second 
Congress, Mr. Hamilton, then Secretary of the Treasury, sub- 
mitted a plan, as he had been requested to do, for maintaining 
the public credit. The foreign and domestic debt amounted to 
more than fifty-four millions of dollars ; the debts of the states to 
twenty-five millions. These debts the secretary proposed that 
the general government should assume, as a measure of substan- 
tial justice and sound policy. To the assumption of the foreign 
debt there was little opposition ; but a strong party opposed the 
assumption of the domestic debt, and the full payment of the 
state debts, particularly because that many of the original hold- 
ers of the securities would receive no benefit, having been obliged, 
in their poverty, to sell them to speculators, for two or three shil- 
lings on the pound. On taking the vote in the House of Rep- 
resentatives, the plan of Mr. Hamilton was lost, by a majority of 
two. Fortunately, at this juncture, a question of deep interest 
was agitating the minds of northern and southern members. 
This was in relation to 

Y. The Removal of the Seat of Government. — The debates 
on this subject were almost as exciting as on the fiscal project 
of Mr. Hamilton. At length, a compromise was effected on this 
question, — the more important, as it led to a compromise in 
relation to the assumption of the state debts. It was understood 
that, should the seat of government be fixed for ten years at 
Philadelphia, and afterwards at a place to be selected on the 
Potomac, some of the members of the House of Representatives, 
from the Potomac, would withdraw their opposition to Mr. 
Hamilton. This was accordingly done, and his plans were 
adopted. This measure, in regard to assuming the debts afore- 
said, laid the foundation of public credit upon such a basis, that 
government paper soon rose from two shillings and sixpence to 
twenty shillings on the pound ; and, indeed, for a short time, 
was above par. Individuals, who had purchased certificates of 
public debt low, realized immense fortunes. A general spring 
was given to the affairs of the nation. A spirit of enterprise, of 
agriculture and commerce, universally prevailed ; and the found 



NATIONAL BANK. 221 

ation was thus laid for that unrivalled prosperity which the 
United States, in subsequent years, enjoyed. 

VI. National Bank. — The next public measure adopted by 
Congress was a bill for the establishment of a national bank, on 
the recommendation of Mr. Hamilton. Mr. Jefferson and Mr. 
Randolph strongly opposed the project, as unconstitutional. 
After a long discussion, the bank was established by both houses, 
and approved by the president. The capital stock was ten 
millions of dollars ; the duration of its charter was limited to 
1811. It was located in Philadelphia, with the privilege of 
establishing branches in other places. This bill, however, with 
those relating to the finances of the country, the assumption of 
the state debts, the funding of the national debt, &c, contributed 
greatly to the complete organization of those distinct and visible 
parties, which, in their long and ardent conflict for power, have 
since shaken the United States to their centre. 

VII. Admission of Vermont. — 1. During the same session 
of Congress, Vermont, having adopted the constitution, was 
admitted into the Union. The name was given to the territory 
by the inhabitants, in their declaration of independence, January 
16th, 1777, and was derived from the French words verd, green, 
— and mont, mountain. 

2. Vermont was settled at a much later period than any 
other of the Eastern States. For many years, New York and 
New Hampshire laid claim to the territory; but, in 1777, the 
inhabitants denied the validity of the New Hampshire claim, 
and in 1789 they purchased the interest of New York, for 
thirty thousand dollars. A convention was soon after called, 
when it was resolved to join the Federal Union. The act of 
admission dates March 4th, 1791. 

VIII. Indian War. — 1. As early as 1790, an Indian war 
broke out on the north-western frontiers. Pacific arrangements 
had been attempted by the president ; in which failing, he de- 
spatched General Harmar to reduce the hostile tribes to submission. 
In October, Harmar, having destroyed several villages, and large 
quantities of corn, came to an engagement with the Indians, 
near Chillicothe, in which he was routed, with considerable loss. 

2. Upon the failure of Harmar, the command was given to 
General St. Clair, then Governor of the North-western Territory. 
With a force of near two thousand men, St. Clair marched from 
Fort Washington, September, 1791, into the Indian country, 
and encamped in the western part of Ohio. Here, on the 4th 
of November he was surprised, and defeated, with the loss of 
six hundred men. 

19* 



222 PERIOD VI. — 1789— 1797. - * WASHINGTON. 

3. The further history of this war may here be detailed 
General Wayne was appointed successor to St. Clair. In the 
uutumn of 1793, he built Fort Recovery, near the spot where 
St. Clair was defeated, and spent the winter; the following 
Bummer, 1794, having erected Fort Defiance, on the Maumee, 
he moved down that river, and in August (20th), at the head 
of three thousand men, gained a complete victory over the 
hostile tribes. The following year, 1795, this painful war was 
brought to a close ; a treaty being concluded with the Indians at 
Fort Greenville, situated on a western branch of the Miami, by 
which a large territory of land near Detroit, and west of Ohio, 
was ceded to the United States. 

IX. Admission of Kentucky. — On the 1st of June, 1792, 
Kentucky was added, by act of Congress, as a state, to the 
Federal Union. She derives her name from her principal river. 
The territory was early known to the Indian traders, and was 
repeatedly visited by different individuals. But the first per- 
manent settlement was made in 1775, by Colonel Daniel Boone 
and others, on the south side of the Kentucky, about eighteen 
miles south-east from Lexington. To this settlement was given 
the name of Boonsboro'. During the Revolutionary War, tho 
inhabitants suffered severely from the Indians, incited by agents 
of the British government ; but, in 1779, General Clarke 
overcame the Indians, after which the settlers enjoyed more 
security. For a time, Virginia extended her jurisdiction over 
Kentucky, and in 1779 erected it into a county ; but in 1790 
it became a separate state. 

X. Reelection op Washington. — Although Washington 
had determined to withhold himself from being again a candi- 
date for the presidency, yet various considerations prevented the 
declaration of his wishes ; and, on the meeting of the electors 
in the autumn of 1792, the choice again unanimously fell on 
him. Mr. Adams was reelected vice-president. 

XL Difficulties with France. — 1. The reelection of Wash- 
ington may be justly considered as among the most signal favors 
conferred on the American people. A revolution in France 
was in progress, remarkable for the political changes it was 
effecting and the sanguinary scenes which marked it. Mon- 
archy had been abolished, Louis XVI. had fallen by the guillo- 
tine, a republic had been proclaimed, and the national convention 
had made proclamation of war against England, Holland, and 
Spain. This event excited the deepest interest in the United 
States. A large majority of the people, grateful for the aid 
that France had gwen us in our revolution, and devoted to the 



DIFFICULTIES WITH FRANCE. 223 

cause of liberty, were united in fervent wishes for the success 
of the French republic. 

2. At the same time, the prejudices against Great Britain, 
wliich had taken deep root during the Revolution, now sprung 
forth afresh ; and the voice of many was heard, urging the pro- 
priety of the United States making a Common cause with 
France against Great Britain. It was the unanimous opinion 
of the cabinet, however, that a strict neutrality should be 
observed by the United States towards the contending powers. 
They were also unanimous in the opinion, that a minister from 
the French republic should be received, should one be sent. In 
accordance with the advice of his cabinet, the president issued 
his proclamation of neutrality, on the 22d of April, 1793. 

3. As was anticipated, the republic of France recalled the 
minister of the crown, and appointed a minister of its own, Mr. 
Genet, to succeed him. His mission had for its object the 
enlisting of America in the cause of France, against Great 
Britain. Flattered by the manner in which he was received by 
the people, as well as by their professions of attachment to his 
country, Mr. Genet early anticipated the accomplishment of his 
object. Presuming too much upon this attachment, he was led 
into a series of acts infringing the neutrality proclaimed by 
the president.^ He also attempted to rouse the people against 
the government, because it did not second all his views. At 
length, on the advice of his cabinet, the president solicited of 
the French republic the recall of Mr. Genet, and the appoint- 
ment of some one to succeed him. Monsieur Fauchet was 
appointed, and was instructed to assure the American govern- 
ment that France totally disapproved of the conduct of his pre- 
decessor. 

XII. Insurrection in Pennsylvania.— The summer of 1794 
was signalized by an insurrection in the western counties of 
Pennsylvania, commonly known as the " Whiskey Insurrec- 
tion." It had its origin in a dissatisfaction with a law of 

* Mr. Genet, on his arrival in the country, landed at Charleston, South 
Carolina. He was received by the governor of that state, and by the citi- 
zens, with a flow of enthusiastic feeling, equalled only by that which had 
oeen evinced towards his nation at the conquest of Yorktown. 

Soon after landing at Charleston, he began to authorize the fitting and 
arming of vessels in that port, enlisting men, and giving commissions to 
cruise and commit hostilities against nations with which the United Statea 
were at peace. Vessels captured by these cruisers were brought into port, 
and the consuls of France, under the authority of Genet, not yet recognized 
as a minister by the A oierican government, assumed the power of holding 
courts of admiralty an them, of trying and condemning them, and of author* 
Izing their sale. 



224 PERIOD VI. — 1789— 1797. — WASHINGTON. 

Congress, enacted in 1791, by which a duty was imposed upon 
spirits distilled in the United States. The inhabitants of that part 
of Pennsylvania were chiefly foreigners, and consequently were 
less disposed to submit to the taxation necessary to the support 
of government. Strong opposition to the law was early mani- 
fested ; and not a few outrages were committed upon the revenue 
officers while in the discharge of their duty, — such as " whip- 
ping, tarring, and branding." In August, the president issued 
his proclamation, commanding the insurgents to disperse. This 
not having the desired effect, a respectable body of militia was 
ordered out, under Governor Lee, of Maryland; on whose 
approach, the insurgents laid down their arms, solicited the 
clemency of the government, and promised future submission to 
the laws. 

XIII. Prohibition of the Slave-trade. — 1. During the 
third Congress, a law was passed prohibiting the carrying on of 
the slave-trade from American ports. For fifty years prior to 
the settlement of Virginia, England had been engaged in the 
slave-trade. The first slaves — about twenty in number — were 
brought to Virginia, in 1619, by a Dutch ship. The importa- 
tion of them gradually increased ; and, although principally 
bought by the southern planters, slaves were soon found, in great 
numbers, in all the colonies. In 1784, they amounted to six hun- 
dred thousand ; in 1 790, they had increased to nearly seven 
hundred thousand. Opposition to the traffic appeared very early 
in the colonies ; but it was countenanced and patronized by the 
English government, and thus introduced into and fastened upon 
the country, without the power, on the part of the colonies, to 
arrest it. 

2. In Massachusetts, in 1645, a law was made, " prohibiting 
the buying and selling of slaves, except those taken in lawful 
war, or reduced to servitude by their crimes." In 1703, the 
game colony imposed a heavy duty on every negro imported ; 
and, in a subsequent law on the subject, they called the prac- 
tice " the unnatural and unaccountable custom of enslaving 
mankind." In Virginia, as early as 1699, attempts were made 
to repress the importation of slaves, by heavy duties. These, 
and other acts, show that the North American provinces would, 
if left to themselves, have put an end to the importation of 
slaves, before the era of their independence. 

3. In 1778, Virginia abolished the traffic by law; Connect- 
icut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, pro- 
hibited it before the year 1789. The Continental Congress 
passed a resolution against the purchase of slaves imported from 



JAY'S TREATY. 225 

Africa, and exhorted the colonies to abandon the trade alto* 
gether. The third Congress of the United States, as stated 
above, prohibited the trade by law. Thus we see, in the United 
States, a very early and settled aversion to the slave-trade 
manifesting itself; and, before European nations had consented 
to relinquish it, several of the states had utterly prohibited it. 

XIV. Jay's Treaty. — 1. For some time, the relations subsist- 
ing between the United States and Great Britain had been far from 
amicable. The principal complaints were, on the one hand, the 
non-delivery of the posts held by the latter within the American 
lines, and the carrying off the slaves at the close of the war ; on 
the other, the interposition, by the states, of legal impediments 
to the recovery of debts contracted before the war. Added to 
these sources of trouble, Great Britain was accused of exciting 
the hostility of the Indians on our northern frontier ; of impress- 
ing our seamen; and, still more recently, of capturing our 
neutral vessels, retaliatory upon France, which had set the 
example. For these reasons, a war between the United States 
and England was now a probable event. 

2. In the hope, however, of averting an issue so undesirable, 
Chief Justice Jay was appointed envoy extraordinary to the 
British court; where he had the good fortune to negotiate 
a treaty, and which, on the 8th of March, 1795, was submitted 
to the Senate. The main feature of this treaty respected indem- 
nity lor unlawful captures, which was provided for; but no 
redress could be obtained for negroes carried away. The 
obstructions to collecting debts were to cease, and the posts on 
the frontiers were to be evacuated by the 1st of June, 1796. 
Other stipulations were embraced, and the treaty was limited 
to twelve years. 

3. On the 24th of June, the Senate advised the ratification 
of the treaty, by a vote of exactly two-thirds. It was well known 
th&t the president was not entirely satisfied with it ; but he had 
determined to ratify it, if advised by the Senate. The cabinet 
was divided. The country was also divided. Even the friends 
of England were disappointed in its provisions, while her 
©nellies were loud in their complaints and threats. Boaton, and 
the other cities, passed condemnatory resolutions. In several 
cities, mobs threatened personal violence to the supporters of the 
treaty. Mr. Jay was burned in effigy ; the British minister 
was insulted ; and Mr. Hamilton was stoned at a public meet- 
ing. Contrary to the opinions of its strong opposers, the treaty 
fettled the difficulties between the two countries, which wera 



226 PERIOD VI. — 1789— 1797. — WASHINGTON. 

becoming every month more formidable ; it even proved advan- 
tageous to the United States. 

XV. Admission of Tennessee. — On the 1st of June, 1796, 
another accession was made to the Union, by the admission of 
Tennessee. This state derives its name from its principal river, 
which the Indians fancied resembled a curved spoon. The 
territory was originally included in the Carolinas. On the 
division of those provinces, it fell to North Carolina, and by her 
was ceded, in 1789, to the United States. In 1790, it was 
made a territorial government, under the title of " the Territory 
of the United States south of the Ohio." It was first settled 
in 1765, by emigrants from North Carolina. 

XVI. Election of Mr. Adams. — As the presidential term 
of Washington was now drawing to a close, he signified his 
intention to retire from the duties of public life. During his 
administration, the people had become divided into two great 
political parties ; — at the head of one of which was Mr. Adams; 
at the head of the other, Mr. Jefferson. The election was char- 
acterized by a zeal corresponding to the interest taken by the 
parties in their candidates, and their devotion to their respective 
political creeds. The election resulted in the choice of Mr. 
Adams. 

XVII. Farewell Address. — 1. "Washington's administra- 
tion terminated on the 3d of March, 1797. Shortly before, he 
held his last formal levee. It was an occasion of deep and 
solemn interest. The distinguished of all parties and opinions 
were present, to honor the president, the hero, the statesman and 
the Christian. To Washington the occasion was not less 
solemn and affecting. It is said there were few smiles, but 
many tears, during the reception. 

2. As he was about to retire forever from the theatre of 
public life, he felt it to be befitting him to express his views on 
some subjects connected, as he thought, with the vital interests 
and the future glory of his country. These he embodied in a 
" Farewell Address," which, for purity of language, beauty of 
conception, and soundness of political sentiments, has never been 
equalled. It can never be read but to be admired. A single 
sentence only shall we cite : " The unity of government, which 
constitutes you one people, is dear to you. It is justly so : for 
it is the mainspring in the edifice of your real independence ; the 
support of your tranquillity at home, — your peace abroad ; of 
your safety ; of your prosperity ; of that very liberty which 
you so highly prize." 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD VII. 



JOHN ADAMS, Massachusetts, President. 

Inaugurated March 4th, 1797; retired March 3d, 1801 

THOMAS JEFFERSON, Virginia, Vice-president. 

HEADS OP THE DEPARTMENTS. 

James McHenry, Md., (continued in office), ^ 

Samuel Dexter, Mass., May 13, 1800, > Secretaries of War. 

Roger Griswold, Conn., February 3, 1800, j 

Benjamin Stoddert, Md., May 21, 1798, Secretary of the Navy. 

Joseph Habersham, Ga., (continued in office), Postmaster General. 

Charles Lee, Va., (continued in office), Attorney General. 

speakers op the bquse op representatives. 

Jonathan Dayton, New Jersey, Fifth Congress, 1797. 
Theodore Sedgwick, Massachusetts, Sixth do. 1799. 

1. The condition of the country, on the accession of Mr. 
Adams, was one of great prosperity. At home, a sound credit 
had been established ; an immense floating debt had been funded 
in a manner perfectly satisfactory to the creditors, and an ample 
revenue had been secured. Funds for the gradual payment of 
the debt had been provided, and a considerable part of it had 
been already discharged. The agricultural and commercial 
interests of the country were flourishing. The western Indiana 
were pacified. War with F*) gland had been averted. In one 
quarter only was tho horizon darkened ; — our relations with 
France were still disturbed. 



228 PERIOD VII.— 1797— 1801.— JOHN ADAMS. 

2. The principal events which distinguished the administra* 
tion of Mr. Adams were : 

Removal of the Seat of Govern- 
ment. 
Election of Mr. Jefferson. 



Difficulties with France. 
Treaty with that Power. 
Death of Washington. 



1. Difficulties with France. — 1. The misunderstanding 
between France and the United States, which had commenced dur- 
ing the administration of Washington (p. 222). not only extended 
into that of Mr. Adams, but, soon after his accession, assumed a 
still more formidable, and even warlike aspect. The French min- 
isters who succeeded Mr. Genet (p. 223), Mr. Fauchet, and 
next Mr. Adet, insulted the administration, by accusing it of par- 
tiality towards the English, and hostility towards France. Not- 
withstanding this, several attempts were made to settle existing 
difficulties : first, by the appointment of Mr. Monroe as envoy to 
France ; and, upon his failure, through Mr. Pinckney. But the 
latter the French Directory refused to receive in his official 
capacity, and, by a written mandate, ordered him to leave the 
territories of the French republic. 

2. Intelligence of these facts having been communicated to 
Mr. Adams, he summoned Congress to meet on the 15th of 
June, and, in his speech on that occasion, urged that body to 
repel this indignity of the French, in a manner worthy the 
nation. The president, however, was still desirous of peace ; 
and, upon his recommendation, three envoys were appointed to 
proceed to France, to adjust existing controversies. But their 
mission proved another failure. 

3. Perceiving further negotiations to be in vain, Congress 
now proceeded to the adoption of vigorous measures for retaliat- 
ing injuries which had been sustained, and for repelling still 
greater injuries which were threatened. Amongst these meas- 
ures was the augmentation of the regular army. Of this army, 
and such other forces as might be raised, General Washington 
was appointed commander. A naval armament was also author- 
ized, as were captures of French vessels-of-war. In short, 
every movement betokened war. Hostilities were, in fact, com- 
menced, — the French frigate Insurgente capturing the Ameri- 
can schooner Retaliation ; and the American frigate Constellation 
afterward capturing the Insurgente. 

II. Treaty with France. — The bold and decided tone of the 
Americans, added to their preparations for prosecuting a war 
with vigor, — and, perhaps, more than all, the success of the 
Constellation in the above engagement with the Insurgente, — 
had the desired effect. Overtures for renewing the negotiations 



DEATH OF WASHINGTON. 229 

Were received from the French Directory; which were im- 
mediately responded to by the president, by the appointment 
of Oliver Ellsworth, Chief Justice of the United States, and two 
other envoys extraordinary, for concluding a peace. On their 
arrival at Paris, they found the Directory overthrown, and the 
government in the hands of Napoleon Bonaparte, as First Consul. 
By him they were promptly received, and a treaty was concluded 
on the 30th of September, 1800 ; soon after which, the provis- 
ional army in America was, by order of Congress, disbanded. 

III. Death of Washington. — 1. The good and the great 
must die ; and, at length, America was called to mourn the depart- 
ure of the good and illustrious Washington. He did not live, 
much as he desired that event, to witness the restoration of peace ; 
his death occurring at Mount Vernon, on the 14th of December, 
1799, at the age of sixty-eight years. Believing, at the com- 
mencement of his complaint (an inflammatory affection of the 
wind-pipe), that its conclusion would be mortal, he economized 
his time, in arranging, with the utmost serenity, those few con- 
cerns which required his attention. To his physician he ex- 
pressed his conviction that he was dying; "but," said he, "I am 
not afraid to die." 

2. On the arrival of the news of his death at Philadelphia, 
Monday, Congress immediately adjourned. On the day suc- 
ceeding, resolutions were adopted expressive of the grief of the 
members, and a committee was appointed to devise a mode by 
which the national feelings should be expressed. This com- 
mittee, in their report, recommended that a marble monument 
be erected by the United States, at the city of Washington, to 
commemorate the great events of Washington's military and 
political life ; that a funeral oration be delivered by a member 
of Congress ; that the president be requested to write a letter 
of condolence to Mrs. Washington ; and that it be recommended 
to the citizens of the United States to wear crape on the left 
arm for thirty days. 

3. These resolutions passed both houses unanimously. The 
whole nation appeared in mourning. The funeral procession at 
the city of Philadelphia was grand and solemn, and the elo- 
quent oration delivered on the occasion by General Henry Lee 
was heard with profound attention, and with deep interest. 
Throughout the United States, similar marks of affliction were 
exhibited. Funeral orations were delivered, and the best tal- 
ents devoted to an expression of grief at the loss of " the man, 
first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his fellow- 
citizens." 

20 



230 PERIOD VH. — 1797— 1801. — JOHN ADAMS. 

IV. Removal of the Seat of Government. — In 1800, 
agreeably to a resolution passed in Congress in 1790, the seat of 
government was transferred from Philadelphia to the city of 
Washington, in the District of Columbia.^ 

V. Election of Mr. Jefferson. — 1. The administration of 
Mr. Adams, through the whole course of it, was the subject of 
much clamor, especially by the Democratic party ; but the meas- 
ures which most contributed to destroy his popularity were the 
"Alien" and " Sedition" laws. 

2. By the "alien law," the president was authorized to 
order any alien, whom " he should judge dangerous to the peace 
and safety of the United States, &c, to depart out of the ter- 
ritory, within such time " as he should judge proper, upon pen- 
alty of being " imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years," 
&c. The design of the " sedition law," so called, was to punish 
the abuse of speech, and of the press. It imposed a heavy pecu- 
niary fine, and imprisonment for a term of years, upon such as 
should combine or conspire together to oppose any measure of 
government ; upon such as should write, print, utter, publish, 
&c, "any false, scandalous, and malicious writing against the 
government of the United States, or either house of the Congress 
of the United States, or the president," &c. 

3. On canvassing the votes of the electors for president, it 
was found that Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Burr had each seventy- 
three votes, Mr. Adams sixty-five, and C. C. Pinckney sixty- 
four. As the constitution provided that the person having the 
greatest number of votes should be president, and Mr. Jefferson 
and Mr. Burr having an equal number, it became the duty of 
the House of Representatives, voting by states, to decide between 
these two gentlemen. 

4. As this was the first time that the election of president 
devolved upon Congress, a deep interest was taken in the sub- 
ject. It was ordered that the doors should be closed during the 
ballotings, and that no adjournment should be had till a choico 
should be effected. On the first balloting, Mr. Jefferson had 
eight states, Mr. Burr six, and two divided ; which result con- 
tinued for thirty-five ballotings. The thirty-sixth resulted in 
the election of Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Burr, being the second on 
the list, was, of course, declared elected vice-president. 

* The District of Columbia was originally a territory of ten miles square, 
on both sides of the Potomac, about one hundred and twenty miles from ita 
mouth. The river ran through it diagonally, near the centre. It was ceded, 
in 1790, to the United States, by Maryland and Virginia, and is under the 
Immediate government of Congress. It included the cities of Washington, 
Alexandria, and Georgetown. Alexandria has since been ceded to Virginia 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD VIII. 

THOMAS JEFFERSON, Virginia, President. 
Inaugurated at Washington, March 4th, 1801 ; retired March 3d, 1809. 

/LARON BURR and GEORGE CLINTON, New York 
Vice-presidents. 



James Madison, 
Samuel Dexter, 
Albert Gallatin, 
Henry Dearborn, 
Benjamin Stoddert, 
Robert Smith, 
Joseph Habersham, 
Gideon Granger, 
Levi Lincoln, 
John Breckenridge, 
Caesar A. Rodney, 



March 5, 

(continued in office), ) e ■ c ™ 

January 26, l «n4 *l Secretaries of Treasury 



HEADS OP THE DEPARTMENTS. 

Va., 

Mass., 

Penn., 

Mass., 

Md., 

Md., 

Ga., 

Conn., 

Mass., 

Ky., 

Del., 



1801, Secretary of State. 
1802,5 



March 5, 1801, Secretary of War. 

(continued in office), > r, «., . T 

January 26, 1802. I Secreta " es of the Nav 7 
(continued in office), > Postmasters General 
January 26, 1802, 5 ^ ostmasters General. 
March 5, 1801, ^ 

December 23, 1805, > Attorneys General 
January 20, 1807, ) 



SPEAKERS OP THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 



Nathaniel Macon, North Carolina, 

Joseph B. Varnum, Massachusetts, 

Nathaniel Macon, North Carolina, 

Joseph B. Varnum, Massachusetts, 



Seventh Congress, 1801. 

Eighth do. 1803. 

Ninth do. 1805. 

Tenth do. 1807. 



1. The commencement of Mr. Jefferson's administration was 
marked by the transfer of the most responsible and lucrative offi- 
les of the government to the Republican party ; on the alleged 
ground that, hitherto, they had been held too exclusively by the 
Federal party. Internal taxes were abolished ; and the former 
judicial system, which had been altered during Mr. Adams' 
ldministration, was restored. 



232 PERIOD VLU. — 1801— 1809. — JEFFERSON. 

2. The leading events In the presidential career of Mr. Jeffer* 
son will require us to notice : 



Attack on the Chesapeake. 

Embargo. 

British Order3 in Council. 

Milan Decree. 

Non-intercourse. 

Election of Mr. Madison. 



The Admission of Ohio. 
Purchase of Louisiana. 
Murder of Hamilton. 
Reelection of Jefferson. 
War and Peace with Tripoli. 
Conspiracy and Trial of Burr. 
War between France and Eng- 
land. 

I. Admission of Ohio. — In 1802, Ohio was admitted, by 
act of Congress, as an independent state, into the Union. It 
derived its name from the river Ohio, which sweeps the south- 
eastern border of the state. The territory was claimed by 
Virginia, and held by her, although the charter of Connecticut, 
extending wftst to the Pacific Ocean, included a great part of it. 
In 1781, the Legislature of Virginia ceded to the United States 
the territory north-west of the river Ohio, excepting some few 
military tracts. In 1788, the first settlement was begun at 
Marietta, under General Rufus Putnam, from New England. 
Until 1795, the settlement of Ohio was retarded, by constant 
wars with the Indians. But, at that time, a general peace with 
the different tribes being effected, by General Wayne, under 
Washington (p. 222), the population of the territory rapidly 
increased by emigration from Europe, and still more from New 
England. 

II. Purchase of Louisiana. — In 1802, the Spanish gov- 
ernor of Louisiana closed the port of New Orleans against the 
United States. This was in direct violation of a treaty nego- 
tiated with Spain, in 1795, during the administration of Wash- 
ington, securing to them the right of navigating the Mississippi 
from its source to the ocean, and the use of New Orleans as a 
place of deposit for three years, — and longer, if no other place 
of equal importance should be assigned. Great excitement con- 
sequently prevailed in Congress, and throughout the country, at 
this violation of treaty stipulations ; and a proposition was made 
to occupy the place by force. More prudent counsels, how- 
ever, prevailed ; and the whole country of Louisiana was pur- 
chased of France (to which it had been secretly ceded by 
Spain), for fifteen millions of dollars. In December, 1803, the 
territory was transferred to the United States. 

III. Murder of Hamilton. — In July, 1804, occurred the 
death of General Alexander Hamilton, who fell in a duel fought 



WAR AND PEACE WITH TRIPOLI. 233 

frith Aaron Burr, Vice-president of the United States. Burr 
had addressed a letter to General Hamilton, in which he 
demanded a denial or acknowledgment, on the part of the latter, 
of certain offensive political expressions, contained in a public 
paper. Hamilton, declining to give either, was challenged by 
Burr. Although averse, from principle, to this mode of settling 
personal controversies, in an evil moment Hamilton, actuated by 
a false sense of honor, accepted the challenge, and, on meeting 
his enemy, fell by means of his first fire. Among his personal 
and political friends, his death caused a deep sensation. The 
people of New York city, in which he resided, paid him extraor- 
dinary honors. Few men have shone with greater brilliancy 
in our country ; few have been gifted with a more powerful 
eloquence, or have been more justly respected for their talents or 
attainments.^ 

IV. Reelection of Mr. Jefferson. — In the autumn of the 
above year, Mr. Jefferson was reelected president. George 
Clinton, of New York, was chosen vice-president, in place of 
Colonel Burr. 

V. War and Peace with Tripoli. — In June, 1805, a war, 
which had been continued for several years, between the United 
States and Tripoli, was concluded, and a treaty of peace nego- 
tiated by Colonel Lear, the authorized agent of the United 
States, by which the Tripolitan and American prisoners were 
exchanged, and the sum of sixty thousand dollars given to the 
Pacha.t 

* It should be added, as a solemn dissuasive against a practice at war with 
reason, revelation, and all the dear and important relations of life, that 
Hamilton accepted the challenge, and repaired to the duelling-grouni, con- 
trary to the convictions of conscience and duty. In a paper written before 
the meeting, but in prospect of it, he wrote, " My religious and moral 
principles are strongly opposed to the practice of duelling;" — and yet he 
went. It is said that he did not fire at Burr. But, how foolish, and even 
wicked, to expose a life, so dear to his family and country, to be taken by 
a deliberate murderer ! But Burr met his reward. From that fatal hour 
in which ho laid Hamilton low, he was shunned by all classes, and for years 
roamed abroad, a fugitive from the land in which he was once honored. 

f As early as 1803, a squadron, under Commodore Preble, had been sent 
to the Mediterranean, to protect the American commerce against the piratical 
Barbary powers. During the same year, Captain Bainbridge, in the Phila- 
delphia, joined Commodore Preble, and, in chasing a cruiser into the harbor 
of Tripoli, grounded his vessel, and, with his crew, was taken prisoner. 
Shortly after, the Tripolitans got the Philadelphia afloat, and warped her 
into the outward harbor. In this situation, Lieutenant, afterwards Commo- 
dore Decatur, conceived the plan of attempting to set her on fire. This 
being approved by Commodore Preble, he selected twenty men, and an 
officer by the name of Morris ; and, with these, and an old pilot concealed in 
the bottom of a small vessel, taken from the enemy, he proceeded, on the 
•pproach of night, towards the frigate. On reaching it, Decatur, with hit 
20* 



234 PERIOD Vm. — 18Q1— 1809. — JEFFERSON 

VI. Conspiracy and Trial of Burr. — In the autumn ol 
1806, a project was detected, at the head of which was Colonel 
Burr, for revolutionizing the territory west of the Alleghanies, 
and of establishing an independent empire there, of which New 
Orleans was to be the capital, and himself the chief. Happily, 
however, government, being apprized of his designs, arrested 
him, while, as yet, he had few adherents, and before his standard 
was raised. He was brought to trial at Richmond, on a charge 
of treason committed within the district of Virginia ; but, no 
overt act being proved against him in that state, he was released. 
In addition to this project, Colonel Burr had formed another, 

companions, leaped on board, and in a few minutes swept the deck of every 
Tripolitan. Of fifty, not one reached the shore. The frigate was now set 
on fire, and while the flames rose, to spread consternation among the Tripo- 
litans, they served to light the heroic Decatur and his band back in safety 
to the American squadron. Of the party, not one was killed, and but one 
wounded. This was a seaman, who saved the life of his commander. In 
the first desperate struggle on board the Philadelphia, Decatur was dis- 
armed, and fell. A sabre was already lifted to strike the fatal blow, when 
this seaman, observing the perilous situation of his officer, reached forward, 
and received the blow of the sabre on his arm. In consequence of the burn- 
ing of the Philadelphia, the sufferings of Commodore Bainbridge and his crew, 
as well as those of other Americans in captivity at Tripoli, were greatly 
increased. It happened that, some time before this, the then reigning 
bashaw of Tripoli, Jussuf, third son of the late bashaw, had murdered his 
father and eldest brother, and proposed to murder the second, in order to 
possess himself of the throne. But the latter, Hamet Caramelli, made his 
escape, and Jussuf, without further opposition, usurped the government. 
Hamet took refuge in Egypt. Here he was, on the arrival of an accredited 
agent of the United States, General Eaton, who revived his almost expiring 
hopes of regaining his rightful kingdom. Eaton had been consul for the 
United States up the Mediterranean, and was returning home when he heard 
the situation of Hamet. Conceiving a plan of liberating the Americans in 
captivity at Tripoli, by means of the assistance of Hamet, and, at the same 
time, of restoring this exile to his throne, he advised with Hamet, who 
readily listened to the project, and gave his cooperation. A convention was 
accordingly entered into between General Eaton, on the part of the United 
States, and Hamet, by which the latter stipulated much in favor of tho 
Americans, and was promised to be restored to his throne. "With a small 
force, — consisting of seamen from the American squadron, the followers of 
Hamet, and some Egyptian troops, — Eaton and Hamet, with incredible toil 
and suffering, passed the desert of Barca, and by assault took possession of 
Derne, the capital of a large province belonging to the kingdom of Tripoli. 
The success of Eaton struck the usurper Jussuf with terror. In this junc- 
ture, he proposed to Mr. Lear, the consul-general of America, then in the 
Mediterranean, to enter into negotiation. Mr. Lear accepted the proposal, 
and negotiated a treaty, although he knew of the success of Eaton and 
Hamet. Eaton and Hamet were consequently arrested in the prosecution 
of their purpose, and the unfortunate exile failed of his promised restoration 
to the throne. In 1805, Hamet visited the United States, with the expecta- 
tion of obtaining some remuneration for his services from America, and for 
her failure in fulfilling her stipulations to him by General Eaton. A prop- 
osition to this effect was brought before Congress, but, after much discussion* 
It waa rejected. 



ATTACK ON THE CHESAPEAKE. 235 

Which, in case of failure in the first, might be carried on inde- 
pendently of it. This was an attack on Mexico, and the estab- 
lishment of an empire there. 

VII. France and England. — 1. For some time, a con- 
test had been waging between these two powers. America 
being neutral, her vessels carried, from port to port, the produc- 
tions of France and the manufactures of England. This was 
called " the carrying trade," and was proving a source of great 
wealth. On the 16th of May, 1806, the British government 
issued an order in council, declaring the ports and rivers from 
the Elbe, a river in Germany, to Brest, a town of France, to be 
in a state of blockade. By this order, American vessels, trading 
to these and intervening ports, were liable to seizure and cci- 
demnation ; and, in numerous instances, such a fate befell them. 
In the following November, Bonaparte, by way of retaliation, 
issued a decree, at Berlin, declaring the British islands in a state 
of blockade, and prohibiting all commerce and correspondence 
with them. 

2. In January, 1807, the British government retaliated 
upon Bonaparte, prohibiting all coasting trade with France. 
Thus, from the measures of these two rival powers, the commerce 
of the United States was seriously injured. In addition to this, 
there existed a controversy between the United States and 
England, in reference to the " right of search," so called. Eng- 
land claimed it as among her prerogatives to take her native- 
born subjects, wherever found, for her navy, and of searching 
American vessels for that purpose. Against this pretended 
right the American government had remonstrated, but hitherto 
in vain. 

VIII. Attack on the Chesapeake. — 1. At length, an 
event occurred, growing out of this pretended " right of search," 
which roused the indignation of the American people, and called 
for immediate executive notice. This was an attack upon the 
American frigate Chesapeake, Commodore Barron, off the capes 
of Virginia, by the British frigate Leopard, of fifty guns. The 
attack was occasioned by the refusal of Commodore Barron to 
surrender several seamen, who had deserted from the British 
armed ship Melampus, a short time previous, and had voluntarily 
enlisted on board the Chesapeake. 

2. Being unsuspicious of danger, and unprepared for defence, 
the Chesapeake struck her colors, having been greatly damaged 
in her hull, rigging and spars, besides having three of her men 
killed and eighteen wounded, The men claimed (four in num- 
ber) were now transferred to the Leopard. Upon investigation, 



236 PERIOD Vm. — 1801— 1809. — JEFFERSON 

however, it was ascertained that three of them were Americans 
and that the fourth had been impressed by the British, but had 
deserted. 

3. In consequence of this outrage, the president issued his 
proclamation, in July, ordering all British vessels to leave the 
waters of the United States. At the same time, instructions 
were forwarded to Mr. Monroe, our minister in England, to 
demand satisfaction for the unauthorized attack upon the Chesa- 
peake, and security against future impressment of seamen. 
But Mr. Canning, the British minister, objected to uniting these 
subjects ; and Mr. Monroe not being authorized to treat them 
separately, Mr. Rose was despatched, by the English govern- 
ment, as envoy extraordinary to the United States, to adjust the 
difficulty which had arisen on account of the Chesapeake.^ 

IX. Embargo. — Before the arrival of Mr. Rose, Con- 
gress, which had been summoned by proclamation to meet in 
October, was engaged in putting the country in a posture of 
defence. Large appropriations of money were made for equip- 
ping the militia, completing fortifications, and increasing the 
navy. In addition to these defensive preparations, on the 22d 
of December an embargo was laid on all vessels within the juris- 
diction of the United States.! 

X. Orders in Council. — In November, Great Britain 
issued her orders in council, which measure she declared to be 
in retaliation of the French decree of November, 1806. By 
these orders, all neutral nations were prohibited from trading 
with France or her allies, excepting upon the payment of a trib- 
ute to England. 

XI. Milan Decree. — Scarcely had the news of the 
adoption of the above orders reached Milan, where Bonaparte 

* This unhappy difficulty was not finally adjusted till 1811. Mr. Roso 
reached America December 25th ; but, having no authority to negotiate until 
the president should recall his proclamation of July 2d, and the president 
declining to accede to such a preliminary, the negotiations, for the timo, 
closed. In November, 1811, the British minister communicated to the 
Secretary of State that the attack on the Chesapeake was unauthorized by 
his majesty's government; that the officer at that time in command on the 
American coast had been recalled ; that the men taken from the Chesapeake 
should be restored; and that suitable pecuniary provision should be made for 
those who suffered in the attack, and for the families of the seamen who fell. 
To these propositions the president acceded ; but the question touching tha 
right of search was left undecided. 

f This measure was particularly obnoxious to the New England States. 
They deemed it both impolitic and oppressive. By means of it the large 
chipping interest of the United States was locked up. Many ships were, by 
this means, ultimately lost to their owners; besides that, meanwhile, they 
brought no income. 



NON-INTERCOURSE. 237 

then was, than he issued, December 17th, a retaliatory decree, 
called the " Milan Decree," which confiscated any and every 
vessel, found in any of his ports, which had allowed herself to be 
Bearched by an English ship, or had paid the tribute demanded. 

XII. Non-intercourse. — The embargo, contrary to expecta- 
tion, had no effect upon the two belligerent powers, to modify 
their restrictive policy. The president, therefore, recom- 
mended a still more stringent course, — the repeal of the 
embargo, and the substitution of entire commercial non-inter- 
course. To this Congress acceded ; and, in March, passed a law 
to that effect, with a proviso, however, that, should either of the 
hostile powers revoke its edicts, the president might renew the 
intercourse with the nation so revoking. 

XIII. Election of Mr. Madison. — Such was the posture 
of things when Mr. Jefferson retired from office. Having 
declined a reelection, Mr. Madison was chosen his successor, 
and George Clinton was reelected vice-president. 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD IX. 

JAMES MADISON, Virginia, Pbksidint. 
Inaugurated at Washington, March 4th, 1809 ; retired March 3d, 1017. 

6E0RQE CLINTON, N. Y., and ELBRIDGE GERRY 
Mass., Vice-presidents. 



HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENTS. 



Robert Smith, 
James Monroe, 
Albert Gallatin, 
George W. Campbell, 
Alexander J. Dallas, 
William Eustis, 
John Armstrong, 
James Monroe, 
William H. Crawford, 
Paul Hamilton, 
William Jones, 
Benj. W. Crowninshield, 
Gideon Granger, 
Return J. Meigs, 
Ca>sar A. Rodney, 
William Pinkney, 
Richard Rush, 



llll' I See's of State. 



Maryland, March 6, 

Virginia, Nov. 25, 

Penn., (continued in office), 

Tennessee, February 9, 1814, 

Penn., October 6, 

Mass., March 7, 

New York, January 13, 

Virginia, Sept. 27, 

Georgia, March 3, 

S. Carolina, March 7, 

Penn., January 12, 

Mass., December 17, 1814, ) 

Conn., (continued in office), ) p ostmastera Gen . 

Ohio, March 17, 1814, 5 

Delaware, (continued in office), ^ 

Maryland, December 1 1 , 1 8 1 1 , > Attorneys Gen. 

Penn., February 10, 1814, ) 



1814, 

1809,' 

1813, 

1814, 

1815, 

1809, 

1813, 



See's of Treasury. 



See's of War. 



See's of the Wavy 



SPEAKERS OP THE HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES 



Joseph B. Varnum, 
Henry Clay, 
Henry Clay, 
Langdon Cheves, 
Henry Clay, 



Massachusetts, 
Kentucky, 
Kentucky, 
South Carolina, 
Kentucky, 



Eleventh Congress, 1809. 

Twelfth do. 1811. 

Thirteenth do. 1813. 

Thirteenth do. 1814. 

Fourteenth do. 1815. 



1. The condition of the country, on the accession of Mr. Mad- 
ison, was in several respects gloomy and critical. The two great 
rival powers in Europe were still in hostile array against each 
other, and America was suffering under their and her own re- 
strictions of commerce. And no light, from any quarter, as yet 
indicated any change for the better. 



ATTACK ON THE FRIGATE PRESIDENT. 239 

2. In April, Mr. Erskine, the British minister at Washing- 
ton, informed the president that the British orders in council of 
November, 1807, would cease, in regard to the United States, on 
the 10th of June. Accordingly, as allowed by Congress, tho 
latter issued his proclamation, renewing intercourse with Eng- 
land, from and after that day. But, as the British government 
denied the authority of Mr. Erskine to enter into any such stipu- 
lation, the president, on the 10th of August, renewed the non- 
intercourse act with Great Britain. 

3. In March, 1810, Bonaparte issued his " Bambouillet decree " 
retaliating upon the act of Congress of 1809, which forbade 
French ships entering the ports of the United States. By this 
decree, all American vessels and cargoes, arriving in any of the 
ports of France, or of countries occupied by French troops, were 
ordered to be seized and condemned. On the 1st of May, Con- 
gress passed an act excluding British and French armed vessels 
from the waters of the United States ; but, at the same time, 
providing, that, in case either of the above nations should modify 
its edicts before the 3d of March, 1811, so that they should 
cease to violate neutral commerce, commercial intercourse with 
the former might be renewed, but not with the latter. These 
conditions having been complied with by France, the president 
issued his proclamation, November 2d, resuming intercourse with 
that nation. 

4. While the affairs of America, in relation to the belligerents, 
were in this posture, an unhappy engagement took place, May, 
1811, on the coast of Virginia, between the American frigate 
President, commanded by Captain Rodgers, and a British sloop- 
of-war, the Little Belt, commanded by Captain Bingham. The 
latter had eleven men killed, and twenty-four wounded, while 
the President had only one wounded. A court of inquiry was 
ordered on the conduct of Captain Bodgers, which decided that 
it had been satisfactorily proved to the court that Captain 
Kodgers hailed the Little Belt first ; that his hail was not sat- 
isfactorily answered; that the Little Belt fired the first gun, 
and that it was without previous provocation, or justifiable 
cause, &c. &c. The principal events and measures which sub- 
sequently signalized the administration of Mr. Madison were as 
follows : 

1811. 



Admission of Louisiana. 
Battle of Tippecanoe. 



1812. 



Declaration of War. 
Surrender of Hull. 
Capture of the Guerriere. 
Battle of Queenstown. 



240 



PERIOD IX. — 1809—1817. — MADISON 



1814. 

Chippewa and Bridgewater. 
Capture of Washington. 
Defence of Baltimore. 
War on the Coast of New Eng- 
land. 
Engagement on Lake Champlain. 
Hartford Convention. 

1815-16. 

Battle of New Orleans. 
Treaty of Ghent. 
Treaty with Algiers. 
National Bank. 
Admission of Indiana. 
Election of Mr. Monroe. 



Capture of the Frolic. 
Capture of the Macedonian. 
Capture of the Java. 

1813. 
Battle of Frenchtown. 
Capture of the Peacock. 
Reelection of Mr. Madison. # 
Capture of York. 
Siege of Fort Meigs. 
Loss of the Chesapeake. 
Loss of the Argus. 
Capture of the Boxer. 
Perry's Victory. 
Battle of the Thames. 
Proposed Invasion of Canada. 
Creek War. 

1. Admission of Louisiana. — On the 30th of April, 1811, 
Louisiana was admitted into the Union, as an independent state. 
The name was given to the territory, which comprehended a vast 
tract, in honor of Louis XIV. of France, and was first discovered 
by Ferdinand de Soto, in 1541 (p. 17). After having been 
owned by several of the European powers, it was ceded by 
France to the United States, in 1803, for fifteen millions of dol- 
lars (p. 232). Several states have been formed out of the ter- 
ritory thus ceded. 

II. Battle of Tippecanoe. — 1. This battle, fought on the 
7th of November, 1811, was, doubtless, one of the most spir- 
ited and best fought actions recorded in the annals of Indian 
warfare. For several years the Indian tribes on the western 
frontier had exhibited a restless and hostile spirit, engendered by 
Tecumseh, and his brother, called the Prophet. The former was 
a bold and skilful warrior, sagacious in council and formidable 
in battle. The latter was cunning, cruel, cowardly, and treach- 
erous. 

2. In September, 1809, General Harrison, Governor of the 
North-west Territory, negotiated a treaty w r ith the Miamies and 
other tribes, by which they sold to the United States a large 
tract of land on both sides of the Wabash. Tecumseh was not 
present at the treaty ; but, on his return, he expressed great dis- 
satisfaction at what had been done. His brother, who was pres- 
ent, made no objection. But, from this time, the Indians were 
guilty of deeds of depredation and murder. 

3. In this state of things, General Harrison collected a large 



BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE. 24l 

force, and proceeded towards the Prophet's town ; on reaching the 
neighborhood of which, the principal chiefs came out, and proposed 
a conference, — requesting Harrison and his men, with that 
view, to encamp for the night. They did so ; but, apprehend- 
ing treachery, the troops slept on their arms. Early on the fol- 
lowing morning, November 7th, the Indians suddenly assailed 
the camp, and a bloody contest ensued. The loss on both sides 
was severe; but the Indians were repulsed. Tecumseh was not 
present, and the Prophet took no part in the engagement. The 
results of the battle were important ; the Indians were humbled, 
and their plans defeated. 

III. Declaration of War.^ — On the 4th of April, a bill 
declaring war against England passed the House of Repre- 
sentatives. On the 17th it received the sanction of the Senate, 
and on the 19th the president issued a proclamation of war. The 
principal grounds of war assigned by the president, in his mes- 
sage recommending that measure, and upon which the Demo- 
cratic party, in Congress, acted in voting for it, were, summarily, 
— the impressment of American seamen by the British; the 
blockade of her enemy's ports, supported by no adequate force, 
in consequence of which the American commerce had been plun- 
dered in every sea, and the great staples of the country cut off 
from their legitimate markets ; and the British orders in council. 
Against the declaration of war the representatives belonging to 
the Federal party presented a solemn protest, which was written 
with distinguished ability, and which denied the war to be 

* The following are the orders in council, French decrees, and the conse- 
quent acts of the American government, with their respective dates, presented 
in one view: 

1806, May ICth. — British blockade from the Elbe to Brest. 
" November 21st. — Berlin decree. 

1807, January Gth. — British order in council, prohibiting the coasting 

trade. 
" November 11th. — The celebrated British orders in council. 
" December 17th. — Milan decree. 
" December 22d. — American embargo. 

1809, March 1st. — Non-intercourse with Great Britain and France estab- 

lished by Congress. 
*' April 10th. — Mr. Erskine's negotiation, which opened the trade 

with England. 
«« June 19th. — Non -intercourse with Great Britain. 

1810, March 18th. — Rambouillet decree. 

" May 1st. — Act of Congress, conditionally opening the trade with 

England and France. 
«« November 2d. — President's proclamation, declaring the French 

decrees to be rescinded. 
1812, April 4th. — American embargo. 
" June 19th. — Proclamation of war by the United States against Great 

Britain. 

21 



242 PERIOD IX. — 1809— 1817. — MADISON. 

" necessary, or required by any moral duty, or political expedi. 
ency." The declaration was followed by an act of Congress, 
giving the president authority to enlist twenty-five thousand 
men, to accept of fifty thousand volunteers, and to call out one 
hundred thousand militia, for the defence of the sea-coast and 
frontiers. Major-general Henry Dearborn, of Massachusetts, 
was appointed commander-in-chief. Among the brigadiers were 
Generals Wilkinson, Bloomfield, Hampton, and Hull. 

IV. Surrender of General Hull. — 1. At the time of the 
declaration of war, General Hull was Governor of Michigan, of 
which Detroit was the capital. On the 12th of July, with two 
thousand regulars and volunteers, he crossed the Detroit river, 
and encamped at Sandwich. His ostensible object was an attack 
upon Fort Maiden, a British post, situated on the east bank of 
the Detroit river. 

2. Unfortunately, he here wasted nearly a month. Mean- 
while, Maiden was reinforced, and Mackinaw, two hundred and 
seventy miles north-west from Detroit, — one of the strongest 
posts in the United States, in that quarter, — was surprised by 
British and Indians, and compelled to surrender. 

3. This intelligence struck terror into General Hull, as it was 
accompanied with a report that the victors were rapidly making 
their way down the river. Suddenly, to the great disappoint- 
ment of his officers and men, who were anxiously waiting to be 
led against Maiden, Hull, on the night of the 7th of August, 
re-crossed the river, and hastened to Detroit. 

4. General Brock, the commander at Maiden, now pursued 
him, with a force of seven hundred British and six hundred 
Indians. On the appearance of the enemy, while the Americans 
were anxiously awaiting orders to fire, what was their mortifica- 
tion to hear Hull direct a white flag to be hung out, in token of 
his readiness to surrender ! Terms of capitulation were soon 
agreed upon, by which the army, fort, territory, all were sur- 
rendered into the hands of the British. 

5. The chief reason assigned by Hull for thus giving up the 
fort was his own inferior force compared with that of the enemy ; 
especially, the presence of a large Indian force, which, in case 
of his defeat, would have rushed to indiscriminate slaughter. 

6. Whether these views were well founded or not, the public 
mind was altogether unprepared for an occurrence so disastrous 
and mortifying. Hull was, some time after, exchanged for thirty 
British prisoners. Subsequently, he was arraigned before a 
court-martial, at Albany, on a charge of treason, cowardice, and 
unofficer-like conduct. On the first charge, the court declined 



BATTLE OF QUEENSTOWN. 243 

giving an opinion ; on the two last, he was sentenced to death, 
but was recommended to mercy, in consequence of his Revolu- 
tionary services, and his advanced age. The sentence was 
remitted by the president, but his name was ordered to be struck 
from the rolls of the army. 

V. Capture of the Guerriere. — On the 19th of August, 
three days after the unfortunate surrender of Detroit, that series 
of splendid naval achievements, for which this war was distin- 
guished, was commenced by Captain Isaac Hull, of the United 
States' frigate Constitution, who captured the British frigate 
Guerriere, commanded by Captain Dacres. The American 
frigate was superior in force only by six guns. The action 
lasted but thirty-eight minutes, during which the Guerriere was 
so disabled as to require being burnt. The Constitution sus- 
tained so little injury as to be ready for action the following 
day. 

VI. Battle of Queenstown. — 1. Upon the declaration of 
war, the attention of General Dearborn was turned towards the 
invasion of Canada, for which purpose eight or ten thousand 
troops were collected at different points along the Canada line. 
These were distributed into three divisions, — one, under Gene- 
ral Harrison, called the north-western army; a second, under 
General Van Rensselaer, at Lewistown, called the army of the 
centre; and a third, under the commander-in-chief, General 
Dearborn, in the neighborhood of Plattsburg and Greenbush, 
called the army of the north. 

2. Early on the morning of the 13th of October, 1812, a 
detachment of about one thousand men, from the army of the 
centre, crossed the river Niagara, and attacked the British on 
Queenstown heights. These forces were divided into two 
columns, — one of three hundred militia, under Colonel Van 
Rensselaer ; ^the other of three hundred regulars, under Colonel 
Christie. These were to be followed by Colonel Fenwick's 
artillery, and afterwards the residue of the troops. Early after 
landing, Colonel Van Rensselaer was severely wounded, upon 
which the troops, under command of Captain Wool, advanced to 
storm the fort. Of this they gained possession; but, at the 
moment of success, General Brock arrived from Fort George, 
with a reinforcement of six hundred men. These were gallantly 
driven back by the Americans, and, in attempting to rally them, 
the heroic Brock was killed. 

3. General Van Rensselaer, who had previously crossed over, 
now returned to hasten the embarkation of the " tardy " militia. 
But what was his chagrin to hear more than twelve hundred 



244 PERIOD IX. — 1809— 1817.— MADISON. 

men, who, a little before, were panting for the battle, refuse to 
embark, on the ground of scruples about invading a foreign ter- 
ritory, but, in truth, from fear ; the wounded having been 
unfortunately transported to the American shore, the sight of 
eavage wounds and flowing blood had cooled their ardor. Gene- 
ral Van Rensselaer urged, entreated, commanded, — but all in 
vain. Meanwhile, the enemy being reinforced, a desperate con- 
flict ensued ; but, in the end, the British were victorious. Had 
but a small part of the " idle men " passed over at the critical 
moment, when urged by their brave commander, Revolutionary 
history can tell of few nobler achievements than this would have 
been. 

VII. Capture of the Frolic. — On the 18th of October, 
another naval victory was achieved, over an enemy decidedly 
superior in force, and under circumstances the most favorable to 
him. This was the capture of the brig Frolic, of twenty-two 
guns, by the sloop-of-war Wasp, off the coast of North Carolina. 
A remarkable difference as to the manner of firing existed in the 
case of these two vessels. The English fired as their vessel rose, 
so that their shot was either thrown away, or touched only the 
rigging of the Americans. The Wasp, on the contrary, fired as 
she sunk, and every time struck the hull of her antagonist. The 
fire of the Frolic was soon slackened, and Captain Jones deter- 
mined to board her. As the crew leaped on board the enemy's 
vessel, their surprise can scarcely be imagined, as they found no 
person on deck, except three officers and the seaman at the 
wheel. The deck was slippery with blood, and presented a 
scene of havoc and ruin. The officers now threw down their 
swords in submission ; and Lieutenant Biddle, of the Wasp, leaped 
into the rigging, to haul down the colors, which were still flying. 
Thus, in forty-three minutes, ended one of the most bloody con- 
flicts recorded in naval history. Subsequently, on the same day,, 
both vessels were captured by a British seventy-four, the Poic» 
tiers. 

VIII. Capture of the Macedonian. — 1. The foregoing 
achievement of Captain Jones was followed, on the 25th of Octo- 
ber, by another, not much less splendid and decisive, by Com- 
modore Decatur, of the frigate United States, of forty-four 
guns, who captured the Macedonian, off the Western Isles a 
frigate of the largest class, mounting forty-nine guns, and 
manned with three hundred men. In this action, which con- 
tinued an hour and a half, the Macedonian lost thirty-six killed, 
and sixty-eight wounded: on board the United States, seven 
only were killed, and five wounded. The British frigate lost 



NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS. 245 

her main-mast, main-top-mast, and main-yard, and was injured 
in her hull. The United States suffered so little that a return 
to port was unnecessary. 

2. An act of generosity and benevolence, on the part of the 
brave tars of this victorious frigate, deserves to be honorably 
recorded. The carpenter, who was unfortunately killed in the 
conflict with the Macedonian, had left three small children to 
the care of a worthless mother. When the circumstance became 
known to the brave seamen, they instantly made a contribu- 
tion among themselves, to the amount of eight hundred dollars, 
and placed it in safe hands, to be appropriated to the education 
and maintenance of the unhappy orphans. 

IX. Capture of the Java. — In December (29th) a second 
aaval victory was achieved by the Constitution, — at this time 
commanded by Commodore Bainbridge, — over the Java, a British 
frigate of thirty-eight guns, but carrying forty-nine, with four 
hundred men, commanded by Captain Lambert, who was mortally 
wounded. This action was fought off St. Salvador, and continued 
nearly two hours, when the Java struck, having lost sixty killed 
and one hundred and twenty wounded. The Constitution had 
nine killed and twenty-five wounded. On the 1st of January, 
the commander, finding his prize incapable of being brought in, 
was obliged to burn her. 

X. End of the Campaign. — Thus ended the year 1812. 
With the exception of the naval victories already mentioned, and 
others of the same kind, equally honorable to America, nothing 
important was achieved. Neither of the armies destined for the 
invasion of Canada had obtained any decisive advantage, or were 
in possession of any post in that territory. Further preparations, 
however, were making for its conquest. Naval armaments were 
collecting on the lakes, and the soldiers, in their winter quarters, 
were looking forward to "battles fought and victories won." 

XI. Campaign of 1813. — The military operations of the 
campaign of 1813 were considerably diversified, extending 
along the whole northern frontier of the United States. The 
location of the several divisions of the American forces was as 
follows: — The army of the west, under General Harrison, was 
placed near the head of Lake Erie ; the army of the centre, 
under General Dearborn, between the Lakes Ontario and Erie ; 
and the army of the north, under General Hampton, on the 
shores of Lake Champlain. The British forces in Canada were 
under the general superintendence of Sir George Prevost, under 
whom Colonels Proctor and Vincent had in charge the defeDca 

21*= 



246 PERIOD IX. — 1809— 1817. — MADISON. 

of the Upper Provinces, while the care of the Lower Provinces 
was committed to General Sheaffe. 

XII. Battle of Frenchtown. — 1. On the opening of the 
year 1813, Michigan, which had been surrendered by General 
Hull (p. 242) to the British, was still held by them. The citizens 
of the western country, being anxious to regain possession of it, 
and with it the fort of Detroit, General Harrison determined to 
undertake a winter campaign, with a view to its re-conquest. 
General Winchester, with about eight hundred troops, principally 
young men, from the most respectable families of Kentucky, pro- 
ceeded in advance to Frenchtown, a village on the north bank of 
the river Raisin, twenty-five miles south-west from Detroit. A 
British party stationed there was attacked, routed and dispersed. 

2. The Americans encamped on the field. On the morning 
of the 22d of January, a large force of British and Indians, 
under General Proctor, came suddenly upon them ; and, though 
the Americans made a brave defence, it became necessary to 
surrender. To this, Winchester, who had been made prisoner, 
acceded, on a pledge of protection to the prisoners. This 
pledge Proctor gave, and marched back to Maiden. 

3. The Indians, however, after accompanying him some miles, 
turned back to the battle-ground, where, the following morning, the 
most inhuman butcheries were perpetrated. The wounded officers 
were killed, and scalped in the streets. The dead were stripped, 
and the houses fired. Those who were able to travel were con- 
ducted to Detroit to be ransomed at exorbitant prices, and others 
reserved for torture. 

4. By this bloody tragedy all Kentucky was literally in 
mourning. Her brave and most respectable young men were 
murdered most inhumanly; and where they fell, there their 
remains lay until the ensuing autumn, beat by the storms of 
heaven, when their friends ventured to gather up their bleaching 
bones, and consigned them to the tomb. 

XIII. Capture of the Peacock. — On the 24th of February, 
an engagement took place, off the coast of South America, between 
the Hornet, Captain James Lawrence, and the British sloop-of- 
war Peacock, Captain William Peake. The action lasted but 
fifteen minutes, when the Peacock struck, and almost immedi- 
ately sunk, carrying down nine of her crew, and three Americans. 
With a generosity becoming them, the crew of the Hornet 
divided their clothing with the prisoners, who were left destitute 
by the sinking ship. In the action, the Hornet received but a 
Blight injury. The killed and wounded, on board the Peacock, 
were supposed to exceed fifty. 



SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS. 247 

XIV. Reelection of Mr. Madison. — On the 4th of 
March, 1813, Mr. Madison entered upon his second term of office 
as president, having been reelected by a considerable majority 
over De Witt Clinton, of New York, who was supported by the 
Federal electors. George Clinton was elected vice-president; 
but his death occurring soon after, Elbridge Gerry was appointed 
to succeed him. 

XV. Capture of York. — 1. On the 25th of April, General 
Dearborn embarked, with seventeen hundred men, on board a 
flotilla, under command of Commodore Chauncey, from Sacket's 
Harbor, for the purpose of attacking York, the capital of Upper 
Canada, the great depository of British military stores, whence 
the western posts were supplied. On the 27th, they arrived at 
the place of debarkation, about two miles west from the enemy's 
works. The British, under General Sheaffe, attempted to oppose 
the landing ; but were thrown into disorder, and fled to their 
garrison. 

2. G-eneral Pike, to whom was intrusted the command, having 
formed his men, proceeded towards the enemy's fortifications. On 
their near approach to the barracks, an explosion of a magazine, 
previously prepared for the purpose, took place, which killed 
about one hundred of the Americans, among whom was the gal- 
lant Pike. Pike lived, however, sufficiently long to direct his 
troops, for a moment thrown into disorder, " to move on." This 
they now did under Colonel Pearce, and proceeding towards the 
town, took possession of the barracks. On approaching it, they 
were met by the officers of the Canada militia, with offers of 
capitulation. At four o'clock, the troops entered the town. 

XVI. Siege of Fort Meigs. — 1. At the time of the unfor- 
tunate battle of French town, General Harrison was on his march 
with reinforcements to General Winchester. Finding a farther 
advance of no importance, he took post at the Rapids, where he 
constructed a fort, which, in honor of the Governor of Ohio, he 
named Fort Meigs. Here, on the first of May, he was besieged 
by General Proctor, with a force of two thousand, British and 
Indians. For nine days the siege was urged with great zeal ; 
but, finding the capture of the place impracticable, on the 9th 
Proctor raised the siege, and retreated to Maiden. General 
Harrison returned to Franklinton, in Ohio, leaving the fort 
under the care of General Clay. On the third day of the siege, 
an officer from the British demanded the surrender of the fort ; 
to which Harrison characteristically replied, " Not, sir, while I 
have the honor to command." 

2. On the 5th, intelligence was received of the approach of a 



248 PERIOD IX. - 1809—1817. — MADISON. 

reinforcement of American troops, under General Clay, from 
Kentucky. Aided by these, a sortie was made upon the British 
which proved so disastrous to both, that, for the three following 
days, hostilities were suspended, and prisoners exchanged. On 
the 9th, preparations were made to renew the siege ; but, 
Tecumseh with his followers having deserted his allies the day 
before, suddenly the British general ordered it raised, and with 
his force retired. 

3. In the latter part of July, General Proctor and Tecumseh, 
with four thousand British and Indians, again appeared at Fort 
Meigs, now under command of General Clay. After a few days, 
however, finding Clay ready to receive them, they retired, and 
proceeded against Fort Sandusky, garrisoned by one hundred 
and fifty men, under Major Croghan, a youth of twenty-one. On 
a demand to surrender, the gallant major replied that he would 
defend the place to the last extremity. And he did. On the 
2d of August, a cannonade was opened upon the fort, and a 
breach made, when five hundred of the enemy attempted to 
carry the place by storm. But so terrible was the reception 
given them, that they fled, in confusion ; and, soon after, the siege 
was raised, with the loss to the Americans of one killed and 
seven wounded, while the British in killed and wounded num- 
bered one hundred and fifty. 

XVII. Loss of the Chesapeake. — On the 1st of June, 
the American navy experienced no inconsiderable loss, in the 
capture of the Chesapeake, by the British frigate Shannon, off 
Boston harbor. Captain Lawrence had been but recently pro- 
moted to the command of the Chesapeake. On his arrival at 
Boston, to take charge of her, he was informed that a British 
frigate was lying off the harbor, apparently inviting an attack. 
Prompted by the ardor which pervaded the service, he resolved 
to meet the enemy, without sufficiently examining his strength. 
With a crew chiefly enlisted for the occasion, as that of the 
Chesapeake had mostly been discharged, on the first of June he 
Failed out of the harbor. The Shannon, observing the Chesa- 
peake put to sea, immediately followed. At half past five, 
the two ships engaged. In a few minutes, every officer of tha 
Chesapeake, who could take command of her, was either killed 
or wounded, and her rigging so cut as to become entangled with 
the Shannon. This gave an opportunity to the British to board 
her. Captain Lawrence, though severely wounded, still kept 
the deck. In the act of summoning the Iwarders, a musket-ball 
entered his body. As he was carried below, he issued a last 



PERRY'S VICTORY. 249 

heroic order, — " Don't give up the ship ! " but it was too lata 
to retrieve what was lost. 

XVIII. Loss of the Argus. — The tide of fortune still favored 
the British. On the 14th of August, the Argus, another 
of our national vessels, was captured by the Pelican. The 
Argus had been employed to carry out Mr. Crawford, as minis- 
ter, to France. After landing him, she proceeded to cruise in 
the British Channel, and, for two months, greatly annoyed the 
British shipping. At length, that government was induced to 
send several vessels in pursuit of her. On the 14th of August, 
the Pelican, a sloop-of-war, of superior force, discovered her, and 
bore down to action. At the first broadside, Captain Allen fell, 
severely wounded ; but remained on deck for some time, when it 
was necessary to carry him below. After a hard-fought action, 
the Argus was obliged to surrender. 

XIX. Capture of the Boxer. — On the 5th of September, 
victory again returned to the side of America, the British 
brig Boxer surrendering to the Enterprise, after an engagement 
of little more than half an hour, off the coast of Maine. The 
commanders of both vessels — the American Lieutenant Bar- 
rows, and the British Captain Blythe — fell in the action, and 
were interred beside each other, at Portland, with military 
honors. 

XX. Perry's Victory on Lake Erie. — During the sum- 
mer, by the exertions of Commodore Perry, an American squad- 
ron had been fitted out on Lake Erie. It consisted of nine small 
vessels, carrying fifty-four guns. A British squadron had also 
been built and equipped, under the superintendence of Commo- 
dore Barclay. It consisted of six vessels, mounting sixty-three 
guns. On the 10th of September, Commodore Perry offered 
battle to Commodore Barclay, the latter having left the harbor 
of Maiden for the purpose of accepting the challenge. In a few 
hours, the wind shifted, giving the Americans the advantage. 
Perry, forming the line of battle, hoisted his flag, on which was 
inscribed the words of the dying Lawrence, " Don't give up the 
ship ! " Loud huzzas from all the vessels proclaimed the ani- 
mation which this motto inspired. About noon, the firing com- 
menced ; after a short action, two of the British vessels surren- 
dered, and the rest of the American squadron now joining in 
the battle, the victory was rendered decisive and complete. 
Commodore Perry gave intelligence of the victory to General 
Harrison, then at Fort Meigs, in the laconic but impressiva 
words, — " We have met the enemy, and they are ours ; — twa 
ihips, two brigs, one schooner, and one sloop." 



250 PERIOD IX. — 1809— 1817. — MADISON. 

XXI. Battle of the Thames. — 1. The victory of Perry wa* 
the more welcome, as, by means of it, the Americans became 
masters of Lake Erie, and the way was prepared to recover 
back the Territory of Michigan, which, with its forts, Maiden and 
Detroit, were still in possession of Proctor. The first movement 
of Harrison, therefore, was against these forts. He had previ- 
ously assembled a portion of the Ohio militia, which, with four 
thousand Kentuckians, under Governor Shelby, made a formidable 
force. On the 27th of September, the troops were received on 
board the fleet, and on the same day reached Maiden. But, to 
their surprise, they found that fortress and the public storehouses 
burned. On the following day, the Americans marched in pur- 
suit of Proctor and his troops ; and, on the 29th, entered and 
took possession of Detroit. 

2. Leaving Detroit on the 2d of October, Harrison and Shelby 
proceeded, with thirty-five hundred men, selected for the pur- 
pose ; and, on the 5th, reached the place of Proctor's encamp- 
ment, which was the Moravian village, on the Thames, about 
eighty miles from Detroit. The American troops were immedi- 
ately formed in the order of battle, and the armies engaged with 
the most determined courage. In this contest, the celebrated 
Tecumseh was slain. Upon his fall, the Indians immediately 
fled. This led to the defeat of the whole British force, which 
surrendered, except about two hundred dragoons, which, with 
Proctor at their head, were enabled to escape. On this field oi 
battle, the Americans had the pleasure to retake six brass field 
pieces which had been surrendered by Hull ; on two of which were 
inscribed the words, " Surrendered by Burgoyne, at Saratoga." 
Tecumseh, who fell in this battle, was, in several respects, the 
most celebrated Indian warrior who ever raised an arm against 
the Americans. He had been in almost every engagement with 
the whites since Harmar's defeat, although, at his death, he 
scarcely exceeded forty years of age. 

XXII. Proposed Invasion of Canada. — 1. The fall of De« 
troit put an end to the Indian war in that quarter, and gave secur 
ity to the frontiers. General Harrison now dismissed a great 
part of his volunteers, and, having stationed General Cass at 
Detroit, with about one thousand men, proceeded, according to 
his instructions, with the remainder of his forces, to Buffalo, 
to join the army of the centre. The result of the operations 
of the north-west, and the victory on Lake Erie, prepared the 
way to attempt a more effectual invasion of Canada. 

2. General Dearborn having, some time before this, retired 
from the service, General Wilkinson was appointed to succeed 



-JREEK WAR. 251 

Mm as commander -in-chlnf, and arrived at Sacket's Harbor on 
the 20th of August. The first object of his instructions was 
the capture of Kingston, although the reduction of Canada, by 
an attack upon Montreal, was the ulterior aim of the campaign. 
The forces destined for the accomplishment of these purposes 
were an army of five thousand, at Fort George ; two thousand, 
under General Lewis, at Sacket's Harbor; four thousand, at Platts- 
burg, under the command of General Hampton, which latter, 
proceeding by the way of Champlain, were to form a junction 
with the main body, at ^ome place on the river St. Lawrence ; 
and, finally, the victorious troops of General Harrison, which 
were expected to arrive in season to furnish important assist- 
ance. 

3. On the 5th of September, General Armstrong, who had 
recently been appointed Secretary of War, arrived at Sacket's 
Harbor, to aid in the above project. The plan of attacking 
Kingston was now abandoned, and it was determined to proceed 
immediately to Montreal. Unexpected difficulties, however, 
occurred, which prevented the execution of the plan ; and the 
American force, under Wilkinson, retired into winter quarters 
at French Mills. The forces of General Hampton, after pene- 
trating the country some distance, to join Wilkinson, retired 
again to Platcsburg, where he was succeeded by General Izard. 
The forces of General Harrison were not ready to join the expe- 
dition until the troops had gone into winter quarters. 

XXIII. End of the Campaign of 1813. — Thus ended a cam- 
paign which gave rise to a dissatisfaction proportioned to the 
high expectations that had been indulged of its success. Public 
opinion was much divided as to the causes of its failure, and as 
to the parties to whom the blame was properly to be attached. 

XXIV. Campaign of 1814 — Creek War. — 1. Soon after 
the northern armies had gone into winter quarters, as noticed 
above, the public attention was directed to a war with the Creek 
Indians, who, being instigated thereto by the British govern- 
ment, had declared against the United States ; and which proved 
exceedingly sanguinary during the year 1813, and until the 
close of the summer of 1814. At this latter date, General 
Jackson, who conducted it on the part of the Americans, hav- 
ing, in several rencounters, — as at Tallushatches, and at Tal- 
ladega, and then at Autossee, Emucfau, and other places, — 
much reduced them, signally defeated them, in the battle of 
Tohopeka, or Horse-shoe-bend. Following this, he concluded a 
treaty with them, August 9th, on conditions advantageous to the 
United States. Having accomplished this service, Jackson 



252 PERIOD IX. — 1809-1817. — MADISON. 

returned to Tennessee, and was soon after appointed to succeed 
General Wilkinson in the command of the forces at New 
Orleans. 

2. The commencement of hostilities by the Creeks was an 
attack upon Fort Mimms, on the 30th of August, 1813, by si* 
hundred Indians, who, taking the fort by surprise, massacred 
three hundred men, women and children, excepting seventeen, 
who, alone, effected their escape. On receipt of this intelligence, 
General Jackson, with two thousand Tennesseeans, and five hun- 
dred under General Coffee, marched into the country of the 
Creeks, where occurred the battles already named. But the 
Creeks remained unsubdued. At length, they commenced forti- 
fyino > Tohopeka, on the bend of Tallapoosa river. Against this 
fortified refuge of these infatuated savages General Jackson led 
his forces, and, in March, reduced it. Nearly six hundred of 
the Creeks were killed, and three hundred women and children 
made prisoners. 

3. Their signal defeat put an end to the war. Shortly after, 
the remnant of the nation sent in their submission. Among 
these was the prophet and leader, Weatherford. In bold and 
impressive language, he said : "I am in your power. Do with 
me what you please. I have done the white people all the harm 
I could. I have fought them, and fought them bravely. There 
was a time when I had a choice ; I have none now, — even hope 
is ended. Once I could animate my warriors ; but I cannot ani- 
mate the dead. They can no longer hear my voice ; their 
bones are at Tallushatches, Talladega, Emucfau, and Tohopeka. 
While there was a chance of success, I never supplicated peace; 
but my people are gone, and I now ask it for my nation and 
myself." 

XXV. Chippewa and Bridgewater. — 1. During the winter 
of 1814, but few events of importance occurred on the northern 
frontier. Early in the spring, General Wilkinson proceeded 
from French Mills, his winter quarters, to Plattsburg, with 
a part of his army; while the remainder, under General Brown, 
returned to Sacketts Harbor. 

2. Near the last of Ma. ch, Wilkinson penetrated into Canada, 
and attacked a body of British occupying a large stone mill, on 
the river La Cole. But he was repulsed, with considerable loss. 
At a subsequent day, he was tried by a court-martial for the 
above unfortunate issue; and, though acquitted, he was removed 
from command, and was succeeded, as already stated, by General 
tzard. 

3. For three months following, the armies of both nations 



BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA. 253 

continued inactive, the world being occupied by the wonderful 
events then transpiring in Europe, — the abdication of Napo- 
leon, his retirement to Elba, and the restoration of Louis XVIII. 
to the throne of France. 

4. In the beginning of July, however, the contest was 
renewed by General Brown, who crossed over from Sacket's 
Harbor, and took possession of Fort Erie. At Chippewa, a few 
miles distant from Fort Erie, in a strong position, General Riall 
lay intrenched. On the 4th Brown approached these works, 
and on the 5th occurred the battle of Chippewa. The contest 
was obstinate and bloody ; but, at length, the Americans were 
decidedly victorious. 

5. Immediately after this defeat, General Riall retired to 
Burlington Heights. Here, Lieutenant-general Drummond, with 
a large force, joined him, and, assuming the command, led back 
the army towards the American camp. On the 25th, the two 
armies met at Bridge water, near the cataract of Niagara ; and a 
most desperate engagement ensued about sunset, and lasted till 
midnight. At length, the Americans were left in quiet posses- 
sion of the field. The battle of Bridgewater, or Niagara, was 
one of the most bloody conflicts recorded in modern warfare. 
Generals Drummond and Riall were among the wounded, as 
were also Generals Brown and Scott. Unfortunately, the 
Americans, having no means to remove the British artillery 
which had been captured, were obliged to leave it on the field. 
On being apprized of this, the British forthwith returned, and 
took theic artillery again in charge. Owing to this circum- 
stance, the British officers had the hardihood, in their despatches 
to government, to claim the victory. 

6. General Ripley, finding his numbers too much reduced to 
withstand a force so greatly his superior, deemed it prudent to 
return to Fort Erie. On the 4th of August, this fort was 
invested by General Drummond, with five thousand men, and 
for forty-nine days the siege was pressed with great zeal ; but, 
at length, the British general was obliged to retire, without 
having accomplished his object. 

XXVI. Capture of Washington. — "While these events were 
transpiring in the north, the public attention was irresistibly 
drawn to the movements of the enemy on the seaboard. About 
the middle of August, a squadron of fifty or sixty British sail 
arrived in the Chesapeake, with troops destined for the attack 
of Washington, the capital of the United States. On the 23d 
of August, six thousand British troops, commanded by General 
Ross, forced their way to that place, and burnt the capitoi 
22 



254 PERIOD IX. —1809—1817. — MADISON.' 

president's house, and executive offices. Having thus accom- 
plished an object highly disgraceful to the British arms, and 
wantonly burned public buildings, the ornament and pride of the 
nation, the destruction of which could not hasten the termina- 
tion of the war, on the 25th they retired, and, by rapid 
marches, regained their shipping, having lost, during the expedi- 
tion, nearly one thousand men. 

XXVII. Defence of Baltimore. — The capture of Wash- 
ington was followed, September 12th, by an attack on Baltimore, 
in which the American forces, militia and inhabitants, made a gal- 
lant defence. Being, however, overpowered by a superior force, 
they were compelled to retreat ; but they fought so valiantly 
that the attempt to gain possession of the city was abandoned by 
the enemy, who, during the night of Tuesday, 13th, retired to 
their shipping, having lost, among their killed, General Ross, the 
commander-in-chief of the British troops. 

XXVIII. War on the Coast of New England. — While the 
war was thus being waged in the vicinity of the capital, hostile 
movements were made in other quarters. A British fleet was 
dispersed along the coast of New England, — especially before the 
ports of New York, New London and Boston, — and succeeded 
in capturing large numbers of American coasters. In August, 
Commodore Hardy appeared before Stonington, Connecticut, 
which he proceeded to bombard for some days. Several 
attempts were made, by detachments from the fleet, to land ; but 
they were as often repulsed by the militia of the vicinity. 

XXIX. Engagement on Lake Champlain. — 1. The joy 
experienced in all parts of the United States, on account of the 
brave defence of Baltimore, had scarcely subsided, when intelli- 
gence was received of the signal success of the Americans at 
Plattsburg, and on Lake Champlain. The army of Sir George 
Prevost, amounting to fourteen thousand men, was compelled, 
September 11th, by General Macomb, to retire from the former; 
and the enemy's squadron, commanded by Commodore Downie 
was captured by Commodore Macdonough, on the latter. 

2. At this time, both the Americans and British had a 
respectable naval force on Lake Champlain ; but that of the 
latter was considerably the superior, amounting to ninety-five 
guns, and one thousand and fifty men, while the American 
squadron carried but eighty-six guns, and eight hundred and 
twenty-six men. On the 11th of September, while the Ameri- 
can fleet was lying off Plattsburg, the British squadron was 
observed bearing down upon it in order of battle. 

3. Commodore Macdonough, ordering his vessels cleared for 



ENGAGEMENT ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 



255 



action, gallantly received the enemy. An engagement ensued, 
which lasted two hours and twenty minutes. By this time, the 
enemy was silenced, and one frigate, one brig, and two sloops-of- 
war, fell into the hands of the Americans. Several British 
galleys were sunk, and a few others escaped. Previously to 
this eventful day, Sir George Prevost, with his army, arrived in 
the vicinity of Plattsburg. In anticipation of this event, Gen- 
eral Macomb made every preparation which time and means 
allowed, and called in to his assistance considerable numbers of 
militia. 




4. In the sight of these two armies, the rival squadrons com* 
menced their contest. And, as if their engagement had been 
a preconcerted signal, and as if to raise still higher the solemn 
grandeur of the scene, Sir George Prevost now led up his forces 
against the American works, and began throwing upon them 
shells, balls, and rockets. At the same time, the Americans 
opened a severe and destructive fire from their forts. Before 
sunset, the temporary batteries of Sir George Prevost were all 
silenced, and every attempt of the enemy to cross from Platts- 
burg to the American works was repelled. At nine o'clock, 
perceiving the attainment of his object impracticable, the British 
general hastily withdrew his forces, diminished, by killed, 
wounded and deserted, two thousand five hundred. At the 
game time, he abandoned vast quantities of military stores, and 
left the inhabitants of Plattsburg to take care of the sick and 



256 PERIOD IX. — 1809— 1817.— MADISON. 

wounded of his army, and the " star-spangled banner " to wava 
in triumph over the waters of Champlain. 

XXX. Hartford Convention. — 1. The people of New Eng- 
land were generally opposed to the war, and during its progress that 
opposition became confirmed. Apprehending a crisis was forming 
which might involve the country in ruin, Massachusetts recom- 
mended a convention from the New England States. Although 
the measure was strongly opposed, delegates were appointed. 
This example was followed by Rhode Island and Connecticut. 
Vermont refused, and New Hampshire neglected to send. 

2. On the 15th of December, these delegates, together with 
two elected by counties in New Hampshire, and one similarly 
elected in Vermont, met at Hartford. After a session of near 
three weeks, they published a report, in which, after dwelling 
upon the public grievances felt by the New England States par- 
ticularly, and by the country at large in no small degree, they 
proceeded to suggest several alterations of the federal constitu- 
tion, with a view to their adoption by the respective states of 
the Union. ^ % 

XXXI. Battle or New Orleans. — 1. On the 8th of Janu- 
ary, 1815, occurred this memorable battle. The British forces, 
amounting to twelve thousand, were commanded by General Pack- 
enham. The Americans consisted of about six thousand, chiefly 
militia, under command of General Jackson. The latter had been 
diligently employed for some time in preparations of defence. It 
was a bold enterprise, on the part of the British, to deliberately 
advance in solid columns over an even plain in front of the Amer- 
ican intrenchments. When, at length, they were in reach of the 
batteries, a most destructive cannonade was opened upon them. 
Still the enemy continued to advance, until within reach of 
musketry and rifles, when the extended American line presented 
one sheet of fire, and poured in an unceasing tide of death. 

* These alterations consisted of seven articles : — first, that representa- 
tives and direct taxes shall be apportioned to the number of free persons; — ■ 
secondly, that no new state shall be admitted into the Union, without the 
concurrence of two-thirds of both houses; — thirdly, that Congress shall not 
have power to lay an embargo for more than sixty days; — fourthly, that 
Congress shall not interdict commercial intercourse, without the concurrence 
of two-thirds of both houses; — fifthly, that war shall not be declared with- 
out the concurrence of a similar majority; — sixthly, that no person, who 
shall be hereafter naturalized, shall be eligible as a member of the Senate or 
House of Representatives, or hold any civil office under the authority of the 
United States; and, seventhly, that no person shall be elected twice to the 
presidency, nor the president be elected from the same state two terms in 
succession. The conclusion of a treaty of peace with Great Britain, not long 
after, being announced, another convention was not called; and, on the 
submission of the above amendments of the constitution to the several states, 
they were rejected. 



PEACE WITH ENGLAND. 257 

2. Being unable to stand the shock, the British became dis« 
orderly, and fled. In an attempt to rally them, General Packen- 
ham was killed. A second time they broke and fled. In a 
third but unavailing attempt to lead them again into actign, 
Generals Gibbs and Kean were severely wounded — the former, 
mortally. The enemy, at length, sullenly retired, having lost 
in killed seven hundred, in wounded fourteen hundred, and 
prisoners five hundred ; while, strange to say, the loss of the 
Americans was only seven killed and six wounded. 

XXXII. Treaty of Ghent. — The blood poured out so freely 
at New Orleans might have been spared ; a treaty of peace having 
been already signed at Ghent, on the previous 24th of December. 
But intelligence of this joyful event had not then transpired in 
America, The battle, however, served greatly to add honor to 
the American name ; and from that day General Jackson was 
well and widely known as the " Hero of New Orleans." On the 
17 th of February, the treaty was ratified by the President and 
Senate.^ Upon the subjects for which the war had been profess- 
edly declared, the treaty thus concluded was silent. It pro- 
vided only for the suspension of hostilities, the exchange of 
prisoners, the restoration of territories and possessions obtained 
by the contending powers during the war, the adjustment of 
unsettled boundaries, and for a combined effort to effect the 
entire abolition of traffic in slaves. 

XXXIII. Treaty with Algiers. — 1. The treaty with Eng. 
land was followed, on the 30th of June, by a treaty with the Bey 
of Algiers, concluded at Algiers, at that time, by William Shaler 
and Commodore Stephen Decatur, agents for the United States. 
The war which thus ended by treaty was commenced by the dey 
himself, in 1812 ; up to which time, from 1795, peace with him 
had been preserved by the United States, by the payment of an 
annual tribute. 

2. In 1812, the American consul, Mr. Lear, was suddenly 
ordered to depart from Algiers, on account of the arrival of a 
cargo of naval and military stores, for the regency of Algiers, in 
fulfilment of treaty stipulations, which, the dey alleged, were not 

* In 1813, the Emperor of Russia offered to mediate between the two coun- 
tries; and Messrs. Gallatin, Bayard, and J. Q. Adams, were appointed com- 
missioners, to proceed to Russia, to meet commissioners from England. Tho 
latter, however, declined the overture; but the Prince Regent offered a 
direct negotiation, either at London or Gottenburg. This being accepted, 
Messrs. Clay and Jonathan Russell were added to the already appointed com- 
missioners. On the part of England, Lord Gambier, Henry Golbourn, and 
William Adams, were appointed. The place of meeting was subsequently 
changed to Ghent, in Flanders, where the commissioners met in August." 

22^ 



*258 PERIOD IX. — 1809— 1817. — MADISON. 

Buch, in quantity or quality, as he expected. At the same time, 
depredations were commenced upon our commerce. Several 
American vessels were captured and condemned, and their crews 
subjected to slavery. 

3. Upon a representation of the case, by the president, to 
Congress, that body formally declared war against the dey, in 
March. Soon after, an American squadron sailed for the Medi- 
terranean, captured an Algerine brig and a forty-four gun 
frigate, and at length appeared before Algiers. The respecta- 
bility of the American force, added to the two important victories 
already achieved, had prepared the way for the American com- 
missioners to dictate a treaty upon such a basis as they pleased. 
Accordingly, the model of a treaty was sent to the dey, who 
signed it. By this treaty, the United States were exempted 
from paying tribute in future ; captured property was to be 
restored by the dey; prisoners to be delivered up, without 
ransom, &c. &c. 

XXXIV. National Bank. — In 1811, the former national 
bank expired. During the session of Congress 1815-16, a charter 
for a new bank, entitled " The Bank of the United States," with 
a capital of thirty-five millions of dollars, and to continue till 
1836, was brought forward; and, after weeks of animated discus- 
sion, was passed, and April 10th received the signature of the 
president. 

XXXV. Admission of Indiana. — In December, 1816, Indi- 
ana was admitted into the Union. The name is derived from the 
word Indian. The French seem to have formed the first settle- 
ments in this territory; but the exact period is uncertain. 
During the war of 1812-14, Indiana was the scene of many 
Indian depredations, and many severe battles. Until 1801, it 
formed a part of the great north-western territory ; but at that 
date was erected into a territorial government. 

XXXVI. Election of Mr. Monroe. — Mr. Madison having 
signified his intention to retire at the expiration of his second 
term, James Monroe, of Virginia, was elected his successor ; and 
Daniel D. Tompkins, of New York, was chosen vice-president 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD X. 



JAMES MONROE, President. 
Inaugurated at Washington, March 4th, 1817; retired March 3d, 1825. 

DANIEL D. TOMPKINS, Vice-president. 

HEADS OP THE DEPARTMENTS. 

John Q. Adams, Mass., March 5, 1817, Sec 'y of State. 

William H. Crawford, Georgia, March 5, 1817, Sec'y of Treasury. 

Isaac Shelby, Kentucky, March 5, 1817, ) gec , g f -». 

John C. Calhoun, S. Carolina, December 15, 1817, $ 

Benj. W. Crowninshield, Mass., (continued in office), ^ 

Smith Thompson, New York, November 30, 1818, > See's of Navy. 

Samuel L. Southard, N. Jersey, December 9, 1823, j 

Return J. Meigs, Ohio, (continued in office), > Pft „ tTTin „ tprq ._ 

John M'Lean, Ohio, December 9, 1823, 5 ^ ostmasters wen - 

Richard Rush, Penn., (continued in office), ) Attornevg Gen 

William Wirt, Virginia, December 14, 1817, 5 

SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 

Henry Clay, Kentucky, Fifteenth Congress, 1817. 

Henry Clay, Kentucky, Sixteenth do. 1819. 

John W. Taylor, New York, Sixteenth do. 1820. 

Philip P. Barbour, Virginia, Seventeenth do. 1821. 

Henry Clay, Kentucky, Eighteenth do. 1823. 

1. The elevation of Mr. Monroe to the presidency was an 
event highly auspicious to the interests of the nation. Besides 
having been employed for many years in high and responsible 
stations under the government, and therefore being well ac- 
quainted with the powers of the constitution, and the manner in 
which the government had been administered by his predeces- 
sors, he possessed a sound and discriminating judgment, and a 
remarkably calm and quiet temperament. In not a few of the 
qualities of his mind, he resembled Washington ; and, like that 
great and good man, had the true interests of his country in view, 
in the acts and measures of his administration. 



260 



PERIOD X. — 1817— 1825. — MONROE. 



2. At the time of his accession, the country was beginning to 
recover from the effects of the late war. Commerce was reviv- 
ing, and the manufacturers were hoping for more auspicious 
days. In every department of industry there was the com- 
mencement of activity ; and, although the country had suffered 
too long and too seriously to regain at once her former prosperity, 
hopes of better times were indulged, and great confidence was 
reposed in the wise and prudent counsels of the new president. 

3. A review of the principal measures and events during ther 
presidency of Mr. Monroe will require us to notice the following 
topics : 



Admission of Mississippi. 
Provision for Indigent Officers. 
Admission of Illinois. 
Seminole War. 

Convention with Great Brit- 
ain. 
Cession of Florida. 
Admission of Alabama. 



Admission of Maine. 
Reelection of Mr. Monroe. 
Admission of Missouri. 
Apportionment of Represent- 
atives. 
Visit of Lafayette. 
Election of Mr. Adams. 



I. Admission of Mississippi. — The first European who 
visited th» region of country of which the State of Mississippi 
was then a part was Ferdinand de Soto, in 1589 (p. 17). In 
1683, M. de Salle visited the same region, and gave it the name 
of Louisiana, in honor of Louis XIV. of France. Over this 
undefined but vast extent of country, the French claimed juris- 
diction; and, in 1716, they began a settlement at Natchez, and 
erected a fort. In 1763, they ceded the country east of the Mis- 
sissippi to the English; and the latter ceded it to Spain in 1783. 
In 1798, the Spaniards abandoned it to the United States. In 
1800, the territory lying between the western boundary of Geor- 
gia and the Mississippi river, and which, until now, had been 
claimed by Georgia, and called the " Georgia Western Terri- 
tory," was erected by Congress into a distinct territorial govern- 
ment, by the name of the " Mississippi Territory." In Decem- 
ber, 1827, this territory was divided, and the western portion 
of it admitted into the Union, as the " State of Mississippi," 
the eastern forming the Territory of Alabama. 

II. Provision for Indigent Officers and Soldiers. — 
Through the inability of the government, at the close of the 
Revolutionary War, the officers and soldiers, who had spent their 
Btrength and run the hazard of their lives, — who had exhausted 
tbsir private fortunes, and subjected their families to incredible 



SEMINOLE WAR. 261 

hardships, for the achievement of their country's independence, — 
were left without adequate compensation. They received certi- 
ficates for bounty lands, and other dues ; but these* they were com- 
pelled to sell, and often nearly to sacrifice, to relieve the pressure 
of existing want, — the purchasers, in after years, when the 
government paid these certificates in full, amassing, in some in- 
stances, immense fortunes, the price of the toils and sufferings of 
those who fought the battles and achieved the freedom of their 
country. But, in 1818, Congress passed a law making provision, 
to a limited extent, for the surviving few of the officers and sol- 
diers of the Revolution. It was a debt long due, — long ac- 
knowledged; but, though tardy in her payment of it, the 
government at length felt the justice of it, and measures were 
taken for their relief. Subsequently, this law was extended, so 
that the widows and children of the deceased officers and soldiers 
have been remembered. By these means, thousands and thou- 
sands have been made to rejoice. 

III. Admission of Illinois. — In 1818, Illinois adopted a 
state constitution, and in December following was admitted as a 
member of the Union. Illinois derives its name from its princi- 
pal river, which, in the language of the Indians, signifies the 
River of Men. The first settlements, like those of Indiana, 
were made by the French, and were the consequence of the 
adventurous enterprises of M. de la Salle, in search of the Mis- 
sissippi. The first settlements were the villages of Kaskaskia 
and Cahokia. In 1763, the country passed under British do- 
minion. At the peace of 1783, Great Britain renounced her 
claims of sovereignty over this country, as well as the United 
States. Illinois remained apart of Indiana until 1809, when it 
received a territorial government. 

IV. Seminole War. — 1. Within the southern limits of the 
United States, but mostly in Florida, lived a tribe or confeder- 
acy of Indians, called Seminoles. They consisted of fugitives 
from northern tribes, Creek Indians who were dissatisfied with 
the treaty General Jackson made with them in 1814, and 
negroes who had absconded from their masters. The resent- 
ments of this motley confederacy against the whites were, 
doubtless, fanned by foreign emissaries, of whom the most noted 
were two Englishmen, Alexander Arbuthnot and Robert C. 
Ambrister. At length, several outrages being committed by the 
Indians, the Secretary of War ordered General Gaines to remove, 
at his discretion, such Indians as were still on the lands ceded to 
the United States by the Creeks, in 1814. The execution of 
this order roused the Indians, who, in great numbers, invested 



2G2 PERIOD X. — 1817— 1825. — MONROE. 

Fort Scott, where General Gaines was confined, wit* six hundred 
men. 

2. In this posture of affairs, General Jackson w.-s ordered, in 
December, to take the field, and to call on the governors of 
adjacent states for such forces as he might need. This order, 
however, he disobeyed, and invited to his standard a thousand 
volunteers from Tennessee. With these, and the forces already 
raised, he entered the Indian territory, which he overran without 
serious opposition. 

3. Deeming it necessary, for the subjugation of the Semi- 
noles, to enter Florida, General Jackson marched upon St. 
Marks, a feeble Spanish garrison, in which some Indians had 
taken refuge. Of this garrison he took possession, and occupied 
it as an American post. At St. Marks was found Alexander 
Arbuthnot, who was put in confinement. At the same time 
were taken two Indian chiefs, who were hung, without trial. St. 
Marks being garrisoned by American troops, the army marched 
to Suwaney river, on which they found a large Indian village, 
which was consumed ; after which, the army returned to St, 
Marks, bringing with them Robert C. Ambrister, who had been 
taken prisoner on their march to Suwaney. During the halt of 
the army, for a few days, at St. Marks, a general court-martial 
was called, before which charges were made against Ambrister 
and Arbuthnot. Both were adjudged guilty; and the former 
was sentenced to be shot, — the latter to be hung. Subse- 
quently, however, the sentence in respect to Ambrister was re- 
considered, and he was sentenced to be whipped, and confined to 
hard labor. This decision General Jackson reversed, and ordered 
both to be executed, according to the first sentence of the court. 

4. Next, General Jackson seized Pensacola, another Spanish 
possession, May 24th ; and having sent the Spanish authorities 
and sloops to Havana, he established a new government, partly 
military, and in part of citizens of the province. The measures 
thus adopted by General Jackson, in the prosecution of this war, 
— particularly his appeal to the people of West Tennessee, his 
conduct in relation to the trial and execution of Arbuthnot ar>d 
Ambrister, and his occupation of St. Marks and Pensacola, — 
excited strong sensations in the bosoms of a considerable portion 
of the American people. During the session of Congress in the 
winter of 1818-19, these subjects were extensively and elo- 
quently debated. By the military committee of the house, a 
report was presented censuring the conduct of General Jackson, 
Which, however, was not accepted ; a report unfavorable to him 



CONVENTION WITH G^EAT BRITAIN. 263 

was also made in the Senate, but no discussion of its merits fol- 
lowed. 

V. Convention with Great Britain. — In January, 1819, 
a convention between Great Britain and the United States — con- 
cluded at London, October, 1818 — was ratified by the Presi- 
dent of the United States. By the first article of this conven- 
tion, the citizens of the United States had liberty, in common 
with the subjects of Great Britain, to take fish on the southern, 
western, and northern coast of Newfoundland, &c. The second 
article established the northern boundaries of the United States 
from the Lake of the Woods to the Stony Mountains. By the 
fourth article, the commercial convention between the two coun- 
tries, concluded at London in 1815, was extended for the term 
of ten years longer, &c. &c. 

VI. Cession of Florida. — On the 22d of February, fol- 
lowing, a treaty was concluded at Washington, by John Quincy 
Adams and Luis de Orris, by which East and West Florida, 
with all the islands adjacent, &c, were ceded by Spain to the 
United States. By this treaty the western boundary between 
the United States and Spain was settled. A sum not exceeding 
five millions of dollars was to be paid by the United States out 
of the proceeds of sales of lands in Florida, or in stock, or money, 
to citizens of the United States, on account of Spanish spoliations 
and injuries. 

VII. Admission of Alabama. — 1. On the 14th of December, 
1819, a resolution passed Congress admitting Alabama — so called 
after her principal river — into the Union, on an equal footing 
with the original states. Alabama, though recently settled, ap- 
pears to have been visited by Ferdinand de Soto in 1539. Some 
scattered settlements were made within the present State of 
Mississippi before the American Revolution ; but Alabama con- 
tinued the hunting-ground of savages until a much later period. 

2. After the peace of 1783, Georgia laid claim to this ter- 
ritory; but, in 1802, she ceded it to the United States for one 
million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. In 1800, the 
territory which forms the States of Mississippi and Alabama was 
erected into a territorial government. In 1817, this territory 
was divided, the western part forming the State of Mississippi, 
the eastern the territory of Alabama. The state constitution 
Was adopted in July, 1819. 

VIII. Admission of Maine. — The following year, 1820, 
March 16th, Maine, hitherto under the jurisdiction of Massa« 
chusetts, was received into the Union as an independent state, 
For settlement and history of Maine, see page 50. 



264 PERIOD X.- 1817 1825.— MONROE. 

IX. Reelection of Mr. Monroe. — Mr. Monroe, whose sec- 
ond election to the presidency was nearly unanimous, entered 
upon his second term on the 4th of March, 1821. Mr. Tomp- 
kins was again elected vice-president. 

X. Admission op Missouri. — 1. On the 10th of August, 
1821, the president, by proclamation, declared Missouri — so 
called after the river of that name — to be an independent state, 
and a member of the Federal Union. 

2. The first permanent settlements in Missouri appear to 
have been made at St. Genevieve and New Bourbon, which 
were founded soon after the peace of 1663. In the succeeding 
year, St. Louis, the capital of the state, was commenced. In 
1762, Louisiana, which included the tract of country now known 
as Missouri, was secretly ceded by France to Spain ; but the 
latter did not attempt to take possession of the country until 
some years after. Missouri rsenained in possession of Spain, 
through the war of the Revolution, until the cession of Louisiana 
to France, in 1801, by which latter power it was ceded to the 
United States, in 1803. 

3. Upon the above cession of Louisiana, the district which 
now forms the State of Louisiana was separated from the ter- 
ritory, and made a distinct government, by the name of the 
Territory of Orleans. In 1811, the territory of Orleans 
became a State, by the name of Louisiana. The remaining part 
of the original province of Louisiana, extending to the Pacific, 
was erected into a territorial government, and called Missouri., 
In 1818-19, application was made to Congress, by the peo- 
ple of this territory, to form a state constitution. A bill was 
accordingly introduced for the purpose, a provision of which for- 
bade slavery or involuntary servitude. The bill, with this pro- 
vision, passed the House of Representatives, but was rejected in 
the Senate ; and, in consequence of this disagreement, the meas- 
ure, for the time, failed. In the session of 1819-20, tlie bill 
was revived ; and, after long and animated debates, a compromise 
was effected, by which slavery was to be tolerated in Missouri, 
and forbidden in all that part of Louisiana, as ceded by France, 
lying north of 36° 30' north latitude, except so much as was 
included within the limits of the state. These provisions Mis- 
souri was obliged to accept, which she did, by her Legislature ; 
and, upon this, the president issued the proclamation of admission. 

XI. Apportionment of Representation. — The constitution 
has not limited the number of representatives, except providing 
ihat no more than one shall be sent ibr thirty thousand inhab- 
itants. Public opinion seems generally to have decided that a 



VISIT OF LAPAYETTE. 265 

numerous representation is an evil, by which not only the busi- 
ness of the nation is neglected in the conflicts of individual opin- 
ions, but the people are subjected to an unnecessary expense. 
The Congress that signed the Declaration of Independence con- 
sisted but of fifty-six members; and no deliberative assembly 
excelled them in industry and public virtue. The Congress that 
formed the Confederation consisted of forty-eight ; that which 
formed the constitution consisted of only thirty-nine, and the 
first Congress under that constitution of but sixty-five. After 
the first census, the apportionment being one for every thirty-three 
thousand inhabitants, the house consisted of one hundred and 
live representatives. The same apportionment being continued 
under the second census, there were one hundred and forty-one 
representatives. The apportionment under the third census 
allowed one for thirty-five thousand ; and the house consisted of 
one hundred and eighty-seven members. The ratio fixed upon 
by the Congress of 1822-23 was one for forty thousand; and 
the number of representatives was two hundred and twelve. 

XII. Visit of Lafayette. — 1. In the course of the summer 
of 1824, an event occurred which caused the highest sensations 
of joy throughout the Union. This was the arrival of the Mar- 
quis de Lafayette, the friend and ally of the Americans during 
the former war with Great Britain (p. 176), and who eminently 
contributed, by his fortune, influence, skill and bravery, to achieve 
the glorious objects of their Revolutionary struggle. 

2. The visit of Lafayette to the United States occupied about 
a year ; during which he visited each of the twenty-four States, 
and was everywhere hailed as a father. When the time arrived 
which he had fixed as the termination of his visit, a frigate 
was prepared at Washington, and named, in compliment to him, 
the Brandywine, to transport him to his native country. 

3. On the 7th of September, about noon, he entered the spa- 
cious hall in the presidential mansion, where he was addressed by 
the chief magistrate of the nation in terms manly, patriotic, and 
affectionate. In a similar manner Lafayette replied, concluding 
as follows : — " God bless you, sir, and all who surround us. 
God bless the American people, each of their states, and the 
federal government. Accept this patriotic farewell of an over- 
flowing heart ; such will be its last throb, when it ceases to beat." 

4. Then, taking an affectionate leave of each individual present, 
the general left the hospitable mansion of the president. He was 
attended to tha vessel by the whole population of the district. 
All business was suspended, and the vast multitude- which lined 
the shores witnessed his embarkation with a deep silence, highly 

23 



2G6 PERIOD X. — 1817—1823. — MUX HOE. 

indicative of the feelings that the American people cherished 
towards Lafayette. In passing Mount Vernon, he landed to pay 
a farewell visit to the tomb of Washington, whence rermbark- 
ing, a prosperous voyage soon safely landed him on his own 
paternal soil. 

5. It may here be added, that, during the visit of this illustri- 
ous general, Congress passed a bill appropriating the sum of two 
hundred thousand dollars, and a complete township of land, as a 
partial remuneration of services rendered by him during the 
Revolutionary struggle of the country. 

XIII. Election of Mr. Adams. — 1. During the presidency 
of Mr. Monroe, the country enjoyed a uniform state of peace and 
prosperity. By his prudent management of the national affairs, 
both foreign' and domestic, he eminently contributed to the honor 
and happiness of millions ; and retired from office enjoying the 
respect, and affection, and gratitude, of all who were able duly to 
appreciate the blessings of having a wise ruler. 

2. The subject of his successor was early introduced to the 
notice of the public, and the excitement of the several parties in 
the United States was both fostered and increased by the news- 
papers and public journals of the day. Besides Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Crawford, Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Clay, Speaker of 
the House of Representatives, and General Jackson, a senator, 
were candidates for the office ; each of whom had their respective 
friends in the country, and among the Legislatures of the states, 
nearly all of which, by a public vote, declared in favor of some 
one of the candidates. 

3. The electors, however, failed to make a choice, and tha 
election devolved upon the House of Representatives. By tin? 
constitution, only the three highest on the list could be candidates 
for the office in the House of Representatives. Mr. Clay, there- 
fore, was not voted for; but is supposed, by his influence, to 
have determined the question in favor of Mr. Adams, in opposi- 
tion to Mr. Crawford, who had been nominated by a caucus at 
AVa^hington, and to General Jackson, who had received the 
highest vote by the electors. 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD XI. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, President. 

Inaugurated at Washington, March 4th, 182j; retired March 9th, 1829 

JOHN C. CALHOUN, Vice-president. 



HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENT.-;. 



Henry Clay, 
Richard Rush, 
James Barbour, 
Peter B. Porter, 
Samuel L. Southard, 
John McLean, 
William Wirt, 



Ky., 

Penn., 

Va., 

N. Y., 

S. J., 

Ohio, 

Va., 



March 7, 
March 7, 
March 7, 
May 26, 



1825, 
1825, 
1826, 

1827, 



(continued in office), 

(continued in office), 
(continued in office), 



Secretary of State. 
Secretary of Treasury. 

.Secretaries of War. 

Secretary of the Navy. 
Postmaster General. 
Attorney General. 



SPEAKERS OP THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 

Nineteenth Congress, 1825. 
Twentieth do. 1827. 



John W. Taylor, 
Andrew Stevenson, 



New York, 
Virginia, 



1. The policy and views of Mr. Adams were in the main con 
formed to those of his immediate predecessor. No man, perhaps, 
better understood the interests of his country ; no one could well 
be better skilled in every art of diplomacy and government. 
Yet the administration of Mr. Adams was destined to a formi- 
dable opposition. He was charged with having entered into a 
bargain with Mr. Clay, prior to the election, by which he was to 
be president, and Mr. Clay his principal secretary. Bui such a 
, bargain was never proved, and, it is believed, never existed. It 
was^ unfortunate for Mr. Adams that he was not elected by the 
people, but held an office which a majority of the people had 
assigned to another, although that majority failed to elect a 
majority of electors who were in favor of his rival, General 
Jackson. The following are the principal topics upon which 
we propose to dwell, in noticing the administration of Mr. Adams, 
aamely : 



268 PERIOD XL — 1825— .1829.— J. Q. ADAMS. 



Controversy about Creek Lands. 
Fiftieth Anniversary of Inde- 
pendence. 



" American System." 
Election of General Jackson 



1. Controversy about Creek Lands. — This controversy waa 
oetween Georgia and the United States government. The latter 
had agreed, as Georgia had relinquished her claims to Mississippi, 
to purchase for her the lands within her territory, owned and 
occupied by the Creeks, " whenever it could be peaceably done, 
upon reasonable terms." This agreement the government had in 
part fulfilled. Georgia demanded the fulfilment of the entire 
compact. But the Creeks declined selling their lands. The 
Governor of Georgia, however, had these lands surveyed, and 
distributed to the citizens by lottery. The general government 
interfered, to protect the Creeks. The difficulty became serious, 
and involved Georgia and the United States in perplexity. But, 
at length, the controversy was settled. The United States gave 
large annuities to the Indians ; whereupon, many agreed to move 
to a tract of land beyond the Mississippi, the expense of their 
removal and the first year's subsistence to be borne by the 
United States. 

II. Fiftieth Anniversary of Independence. — 1. This 
was a day long to be remembered in the annals of the nation. 
The exultation of feeling throughout the country, that we had 
reached in safety the fiftieth anniversary of our independence, 
was great. The day was everywhere celebrated with more 
than the usual demonstrations of joy. But the most striking 
feature of the occasion was the simultaneous death of two ex- 
presidents of the United States, John Adams and Thomas Jef- 
ferson. The coincidence in their departure from life was cer- 
tainly remarkable, more especially as having occurred at that 
particular juncture. 

2. Both had been ministers abroad ; both vice-presidents, and 
both presidents ; both had lived to a great age ; both were early 
enlisted in their country's cause ; they were both members of the 
committee for preparing the Declaration of Independence ; they 
constituted the sub-committee appointed by the other members 
to make the draft. Mr. Jefferson was the author of the Declar- 
ation itself; Mr. Adams its great supporter on the floor of 
Congress (p. 169). Both were bold, ardent, unyielding patriots. 
Where others doubted, they were resolved ; where others hesi- 
tated, they pressed forward. These coincidences were surpris 
ingly completed, as already mentioned, by their simultanecasi 



DEATHS OF JEFFERSON AND ADAMS. 269 

deaths on the anniversary of liberty, and only at an interval 
of a few hours. 

III. "American System." — This is a phrase often used at 
the present day, and denotes that policy advocated by many of 
protecting home manufactures, by laying duties on foreign 
articles of the same kind. It began to be employed during the 
administration of Mr. Adams. No subject has given birth to 
more controversy. The principle of protection the south have 
generally opposed ; also, importing merchants. In the east and 
north the farmers, manufacturers and mechanics, have generally 
been in favor of protection. In May, 1828, a bill for altering 
the tariff of duties on foreign articles was passed by Congress, 
but to the country at large the alteration furnished little satis- 
faction. 

IV. Election of General Jackson. — The administration of 
Mr. Adams, from its very commencement, met with a powerful 
opposition. The circumstance of his not having been elected by 
the people, united to the small majority by which he was elected 
to his office by Congress, was sufficient to call forth loud com- 
plaints, on the part of his opponents ; and to justify, in their view, 
a more than usual watchfulness over his administration. Great 
pains were early taken to render him and his measures unpopu- 
lar. When, therefore, the presidential election again approached, 
the claims to the presidency of the rival candidates, Mr. Adams 
and General Jackson, were urged with a zeal which had no previous 
parallel. Not only the public acts, but the private lives, of the 
candidates, were scanned by a most unwarrantable scrutiny, and 
their private characters most unjustifiably attacked. Mr. Adams 
was ably defended by his friends, and his administration shown 
to be free from extravagant expenditures, as was charged ; but 
the popularity of General Jackson secured his election by even 
a greater majority than his most sanguine friends had predicted, 

23* 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD XII. 

ANDREW JACKSON, President. 
Inaugurated at Washington, March 4th, 1829; retired March 3d, 1837 

J. C. CALHOUN and MARTIN VAN BUREN, Vice-presidents. 

HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS. 

Martin Van Buren, New York, March G, 1829/ 

Edward Livingston, Louisiana, i? nn ™J U > }gj» i See's of State. 

Louis M'Lane, Delaware, May 29, 1833, 

John Lorsyth, Georgia, June 27, 1834, 

Samuel D. Ingham, Pennsylvania, March G, 1829, 

Louis M'Lane, Delaware, January 13, 1832, 

William J. Duane, Pennsylvania, May 29 1833, , Sec > sof Treasur , 

Roger B. Taney, Maryland, (appointed in the recess; ' 

negatived by the Senate), 
Levi Woodbury, New Hampshire, January 27, 1834, 
John H. Eaton, Tennessee, March 9, 1829 ' £ See's of War 

Lewis Cass, Ohio, December 30, 1831, 5 

John Branch, North Carolina, March 9, 1829, ^ 

Levi Woodbury, New Hampshire, December 27, 1831, V See's of the Nav/ 
Mahlon Inckerson, New Jersey, June 30, 1834, } 

William T. Barry, Kentucky, March 9, 1829, ) p ostmasters Qe* 

Amos Kendall, Kentucky, March 15, 183G, £ 

John M. Berrien, Georgia, March 9, 182'J, } 

Roger B. Taney, Maryland, December 27, 1831, > Attorneys Gen 

Benjamin E.Butler, New York, June 24, 1834, ) 

speakers of the house of representatives. 

Andrew Stevenson, Virginia, Twenty-first Congress, 1829. 

Andrew Stevenson, Virginia, Twenty-second do. 1831. 

Andrew Stevenson, Virginia, Twenty -third do. 1833. 

John Bell, Tennessee, Twenty-fourth do. 1834. 

James K. Polk, Tennessee, Twenty-fifth do. 1835. 

1. The condition of the United States, on the accession of 
General Jackson, was one of almost unexampled prosperity. 
The country was at peace with all nations ; the national debt 
was ir a course of rapid diminution ; the treasury had within ita 
vaults more than five millions of dollars ; the revenue was aiinu« 



REMOVALS FROM OFFICE. 



271 



ally exceeding, by a large surplus, the demands of the govern- 
ment ; and the several branches of occupation — agriculture, 
commerce, and manufactures — were in a highly flourishing 
state. 

2. A sketch of the more prominent measures and events of 
General Jackson's administration will require us to notice the 
following topics, namely : 



Death of Lafayette. 
Deposit and Distribution Act. 
Florida War. 
Admission of Arkansas. 
Admission of Michigan. 
Treasury Circular. 
Election of Mr. Van Buren. 



Removals from Office. 
National Bank. 
Georgia and the Cherokees. 
Internal Improvements. 
Indian Hostilities. 
Discontents in South Carolina. 
Reelection of General Jackson. 
Removal of the Deposits. 

1. Removals from Office. — 1. Immediately following his 
induction into office, General Jackson commenced a " work of 
reform," as he denominated it, and which he indicated, in his 
inaugural address, he should attempt, — namely, the removal of 
the then incumbents in office under the general government, and 
the appointment of his political friends. This he accomplished, 
in a brief time, to the number of hundreds, while the whole 
number removed by his predecessors was less than one hundred.^ 
By the opposers of his administration, these removals, so numer- 
ous, and chiefly on party grounds, were strongly censured. He 
was charged with usurping an authority not conferred by the 
constitution, which, it was contended, only gave him the right 
to fill vacancies, either accidentally occurring, or caused by some 
official misconduct. It was further urged, that no preceding 
administration had made such radical changes ; and that, even if 
such removals might be regarded as constitutional, such a pre- 
cedent was both dangerous and inexpedient. 

2. On the other hand, the friends of the president justified 



* During Gen. Washington's administration, there were nine removals ; 
of these, one was a defaulter. 

In Mr. Adams' administration, there were ten removals ; one of these was 
a defaulter. 

In Mr. Jefferson's, there were thirty-nine. 

In Mr. Madison's, there were five removals ; of which three wero de- 
faulters. 

In Mr. Monroe's, there were nine removals ; of these, one was for dealing 
in slaves (Guinea), two for failures, one for insanity, one for misconduct* 
and one for quarrels with a foreign government. 

In John Quincy Adams', there were two removals, both for cause. 



272 TERIOD XII. — 1S29— 1S37. — JACKSON". 

his course. They maintained that lie was u solely invested with 
the right of removal ; that it was a discretionary right, for the 
exorcise of which he was responsible solely to the nation ; that 
that power was given to enable him, not only to remove incum- 
bents for delinquency or incapacity, but with the view of re&rm- 
ins the administration of the government, and introducing offi- 
0818 pf greater efficiency, or sounder principles, into its various 
departments." 

3. On the assembling of Congress, these changes were the sub- 
ject of much discussion in the Senate. A warm opposition was 
instituted, by the minority in that body against the whole course 
of the executive in relation to removals, both on the ground of 
their unconstitutionality and inexpediency. Many of those 
appointed were, however, confirmed ; but several were rejected 
by strong votes. 

II. National Bank. — 1. In his first message, December 
1829, General Jackson took strong ground against the renewal 
of the charter of the United States Bank, which would expire in 
183G. The bank had, as yet, asked no such renewal ; but the sub- 
ject being pressed upon the attention of Congress, by the presi- 
dent, thus early, it was referred to a committee, which reported 
that Congress had a constitutional right to charter a national bank, 
and that such a measure was expedient. In these views the 
Senate concurred with the comvnitteo, in opposition to the 
strongly expressed dissent of General Jackson. 

2. tn December, 1832, the president and directors of the bank 
formally petitioned for a renewal of their charter ; and, in 
1833, a bill passed both branches of Congress to that effect. 
But, soon after, it was returned by the president, with objections 
and, not being repassed by a majority of two-thirds, the bank 

1 to be a national institution, on the expiration oi' its charter. 
in 1836. 

3. Although not unexpected to the country, the veto thus 
put upon the bill by the president gave great dissatisfaction to the 
friends of the bank, in every section of the United States. A 
general disturbance of the currency was predicted, as the necessary 
consequence. " We have arrived at a new epoch," said one of 
the advocates of the bank, on the floor of the Senate. " We are 
entering on experiments with the government and the constitu- 
tion of the country, hitherto untried, and of fearful and appalling 
aspect." 

III. Georgia axp the Ciierokees. — 1. One of the most 
embarrassing subjects which fell under the cognizance o^ the new 
administration related to the Indian tribes within the limits of 



INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 273 

the states, already admitted into the Union ; but, especially, to the 
Cherokees, a powerful tribe within the limits of Georgia. This 
Btate laid claim to the territory occupied by the tribe; and, 
encouraged by the views of the executive, — namely, that he 
could not interpose to prevent a state from extending her laws 
over the tribes within her limits, — authorized an intrusion upon 
the Indian territory for the purpose of surveying it, and extend- 
ing her jurisdiction over it. The state laws were accordingly 
attempted to be enforced. Ore George Tassel, a Cherokee, was 
arraigned for the murder of another Gherokee, tried and con- 
demned, by the state authorities. Several missionaries were 
warned to quit the Indian territory ; and, on refusal, were taken, 
and, for some time, imprisoned. 

2. The case of the missionaries, however, was, at length, 
brought before the Supreme Gourt of the United States. The 
decision of that court, March 30, 1832, involved the question of 
jurisdiction over the country of the Gherokees. The claims of 
Georgia were set aside, by this decision, as unconstitutional ; and 
her laws, by which the Indians had been deprived of their rights, 
and the missionaries confined and imprisoned, were pronounced 
null and void. This decision of the supreme judicial tribunal of 
the United States, however, was resisted by Georgia, and the 
missionaries continued in prison. 

3. This unpleasant controversy was, at length, ended, by a 
letter addressed, January 8th, 1833, by the missionaries, to the 
Governor of Georgia, in which they informed him that they had 
forwarded instructions to their counsel to prosecute the case no 
further. Upon this, the governor issued his proclamation, remit- 
ting the further execution of the sentence, and discharging the 
missionaries from prison. We shall only add, that, in May, 
1838, a military force, of several thousand men, under the com- 
mand of General Scott, was assembled on the Cherokee territory, 
for the purpose of removing the nation to the territory assigned 
them, beyond the great river of the west, in accordance with the 
policy recommended by General Jackson, to remove all Indian 
tribes, within any of the states, to a location beyond the Missis- 
sippi. 

IV. Internal Improvements. — 1. During the administration 
of Washington and the elder Adams, no application was made of 
the public revenue to internal improvements. But, during the 
presidency of Mr. Jefferson, the internal improvement policy 
Was begun, by an act passed in 1802, making appropriations for 
opening roads in the North-west Territory. This was followed 
by other similar appropriations. During Mr. Madison's adminis* 



274 PERIOD XH. — 1829— 1837. — JACKSON. 

tration, the appropriations were increased, and still further aug- 
mented while Mr. Monroe was in office. On the accession of 
Mr. Adams, the policy was still pursued ; and more appropria- 
tions were made for the above object, during his administration, 
than during those of all his predecessors. 

2. On the accession of General Jackson, however, he mani- 
fested strong opposition to the policy, as unconstitutional and 
inexpedient ; and accordingly vetoed several bills, which had 
passed both branches of Congress, making such appropriations.^ 
Notwithstanding, however, the views of the executive, the houses 
re-passed several of these vetoed bills by decided majorities, thus 
showing that they considered such appropriations as an estab- 
lished policy of the country. 

V. Indian Hostilities. — During the spring of 1832, hostil- 
ities were commenced by the Sacs, Foxes and Winnebagoes, in 
the Wisconsin Territory, under the celebrated chief Black 
Hawk. This aggression created a necessity for the interposition 
of the executive, who ordered a portion of the troops, under 
Generals Scott and Atkinson, together with a detachment of 
militia from the State of Illinois, into the field. After a harass- 
ing warfare, prolonged by the nature of the country, and the dif- 
ficulty of procuring subsistence, the Indians were defeated, and 
Black Hawk and the prophet were taken prisoners. Subse- 
quently, a treaty was made with these tribes, by which a large 
tract of territory was ceded to the United States ; and, for the 
purpose of making an impression upon Black Hawk and other 
chiefs, as to the power and resources of the states, they were 
taken to Washington, and through several of the larger cities of 
the Union. 

VI. Discontents in South Carolina. — 1. The year 1832 was 
distinguished for serious discontents in South Carolina, arising 
from dissatisfaction with the tariff of 1828. This tariff had 
been slightly modified in 1832; but the reduction of duties was 
less than South Carolina desired and expected. Great dissatisfac- 
tion, therefore, was the consequence. By her convention, held 
November 24th, at Columbia, the tariff laws were declared 
unconstitutional, and therefore null and void ; and her citizens, 
and the authorities of the United States, were forbidden to 
enforce the duties imposed by these acts. 

2. This tone of menace naturally aroused the executive to 
corresponding energy and decision. He immediately issued a 

* These were the Maysville Road bill, the Washington Turnpike, the 
Louisville and Portland Canal, and the road from Detroit to Chicago; and 
khe Light-house bill, Harbor bill, &o. 



REELECTION OF GENERAL JACKSON. 275 

proclamation, which will long be admired for its sound and able 
exposition of the principles of the constitution, for its breath- 
ings of a spirit of exalted patriotism, and its eloquent appeal to 
South Carolina herself, and to other states which were, perhaps, 
ready to join her standard, to remember the toil and blood 
which American liberty cost, the sacredness of the constitution, 
and the importance of the preservation of the Union. This 
able and judicious document of the president had no other 
effect, however, than to raise still higher the excitement in 
South Carolina. The Legislature authorized putting the state in 
a posture of defence, by raising troops, &c. Everything beto- 
kened a serious collision with the general government. 

3. While the storm was apparently thus gathering strength, 
and was ready to burst in still greater violence upon the nation, 
two events occurred which served to allay it, and, indeed, were 
the harbingers of comparative peace and amity. The first of 
these was an affectionate appeal of the General Assembly of Vir- 
ginia to the patriotism and magnanimity of South Carolina, 
expressed in a preamble and resolutions, as honorable to the 
" Ancient Dominion" as any of her past acts, and worthy of her 
in the days of Patrick Henry and his contemporaries. The other 
event was the passage of a bill, introduced by Mr. Clay, termed 
the " compromise bill," which was designed as an act of 
pacification between the north and south, — a middle course 
between extremes ; and, although not entirely satisfactory, per- 
haps, to either party, it was accepted by both, and was the 
means, under Providence, of staying the risen storm. This bill 
provided for the gradual reduction of duties till 1843, when 
they were to sink to the level of twenty per cent. 

VII. Reelection of General Jackson. — In the autumn of 
1833, another presidential election occurring, the returns of the 
electoral votes exhibited a large majority in favor of General 
Jackson over Mr. Clay, the rival candidate. Martin Van 
Buren was elected vice-president. 

VIII. Removal of the Deposits. — 1. By the laws of 1816, 
the public moneys were to be deposited with the United States 
Bank, subject to be removed only by the Secretary of the Treas- 
ury. The president, however, believing that these moneys were 
no longer safe in the keeping of that institution, directed Mr. 
Duane, the secretary, to remove them to certain local banks ; 
which, however, the latter declining to do, that functionary was* 
removed, and Roger B. Taney appointed in his place, who ac« 
eeded to the wishes of the president. 



276 PERIOD XII. — 1829— 1837. — JACKSON. 

2. Early in 1833, this removal attracted the attention of 
Congress. Confidence as to the stability of the pecuniary insti» 
tutions of the country began to be shaken, and predictions 
of great derangement became prevalent. Two important reso- 
lutions were, therefore, introduced, and received the sanction 
of the Senate : — that the reasons assigned by the secretary 
for removing the public moneys were unsatisfactory, and that 
such moneys as should be received after 1834 should be placed 
with the United States Bank, in conformity to law. This 
resolution, which gave great dissatisfaction to the president, as 
reflecting upon him, remained on the Senate's journal till January 
15th, 1837, when it was expunged, with great ceremony, by that 
body, a majority of whom were, at this latter date, the friends 
of the administration. 

IX. Death of Lafayette. — On the 21st of June, the death 
of this illustrious personage was announced to Congress, in a mes- 
sage from the president. This event occurred at La Grange, in 
France, on the 20th of May. In his message, the president 
spoke of him in terms of appropriate honor ; of his character, 
his love of liberty, his sacrifices in the cause of the Americans, 
his efforts for the good of mankind. A joint select committee 
of both houses reported a series of appropriate resolutions, 
among which was one requesting the president to address a 
letter of condolence to his surviving family, and another to 
appoint John Quincy Adams to deliver, at the next session of 
Congress, an oration on the life and character of this illustrious 
man. 

X. Deposit and Distribution Act. — As the United 
States Bank was no longer the fiscal agent of the government, 
for the reception and management of its funds, as it had been 
for years, Congress provided by law for their deposit with cer- 
tain banks in the several states. By means of this accession, 
these banks were enabled to increase their loans to citizens and 
corporations ; which they did, to a most unjustifiable extent 
Money, therefore, was obtained with the greatest facility, and a 
spirit of speculation promoted, which, in the issue, ruined thou- 
sands, and caused a large loss to the government itself; the 
banks being unable to restore the money which had been depos- 
ited with them. 

XI. Florida War. — 1. Towards the close of 1835, the 
Seminole Indians, in Florida, commenced hostilities against the 
settlements of the whites in their neighborhood. To this they 
Were incited by an attempt of the government to remove then?. 



FLORIDA WAR. 277 

to lands west of the Mississippi, in accordance with a treaty 
executed in 1832, the validity of which the Indians denied. 
To this removal, Micanopy, the King of the Seminoles, and 
Osceola, their most distinguished warrior, were strongly opposed. 
It was his wish, the latter said, to rest in the lands of his fathers, 
and to have his children sleep by his side. 

2. We shall not enter minutely into the history of this most 
sanguinary war. It was as savage and relentless as any recorded 
in American annals. Osceola bore himself with a spirit of 
determination and heroic bravery, only equalled by Philip of 
Pokanoket, in the earlier history of the country. He had been 
exasperated by an unjust imprisonment by General Thompson ; 
and when, at length, he obtained his liberty, despite of all his 
promises, he rallied his forces, to mark his path with destruc- 
tion. 

3. In December, Major Dade and one hundred men, while 
inarching to the aid of General Clinch, stationed at Fort Drane, 
about seventy miles south-west from St. Augustine, and who 
was in danger, were waylaid, and, with the exception of four, 
were all cut off at a blow ; and the four were so horribly man- 
gled that they subsequently died. About the same time, Gen- 
eral Thompson, in the neighborhood of Fort King, sixty-five 
miles from St. Augustine, and with him two hundred and fifty 
men, were suddenly attacked while at dinner ; and nearly one- 
half of the number was killed, among whom was General 
Thompson himself. 

4. In May, 1836, several of the Creek towns and tribes 
joined the Seminoles, and from that time murders and devasta- 
tions increased. The southern mail routes in Georgia and 
Alabama were infested by the Indians ; steamboats, stages, 
towns, were attacked, and thousands compelled to fly for their 
lives. 

5. At length, the Creeks, who had joined the Seminoles, were 
subdued, and were compelled to remove by thousands to the 
west of the Mississippi. But the Seminoles continued the war, 
Which extended into the administration of Mr. Van Buren. 

XII. Admission of Arkansas and Michigan. — 1. On the 
15th of June, 1836, a resolution passed Congress admitting 
Arkansas into the Union, on an equal footing with the original 
states. And, on the same day, a similar resolution admitted 
Michigan, under certain conditions. 

2. The first of these states has its name from its principal 
river ; the second, from the lake on its borders. . Arkansas was 
originally a part of the great Louisiana tract, as subsequently it 
24 



278 PERIOD XII. — 1829— 1837. — JACKSON. 

was comprehended in the territory of Missouri. This being, at 
length, divided, the southern part was not long after formed 
into a territory, by the name of Arkansas. In 1S3G, she rose 
to the dignity of an independent state. 

3. The condition upon which Michigan was to be received 
into the Union was the assent of a convention of delegates, to be 
elected by the people of said state, to the boundaries of the 
state, as described in the act of admission. A controversy had 
arisen between Ohio and Michigan as to the boundary line 
between those states, which was settled by the above act ; and to 
this the assent of Michigan was required. This assent was sub- 
sequently given ; and her admission followed on that assent, 
January 2tfth, 1837. 

XIII. Treasury Circular.— On the 11th of July, an import- 
ant circular was issued' by the Secretary of the Treasury. By 
this the receivers of public money were required, after the follow- 
ing 15th of August, to receive nothing but gold and silver for all 
governmental dues. This was deemed, by a large portion of the 
people, as exceedingly arbitrary ; and, doubtless, contributed to 
urge forward the disasters to the country which subsequently 
followed. 

XIV. Election of Mr. Van Buren. — In 1837, the presi- 
dential election resulted in the elevation to that distinguished office 
of Martin Van Buren, of New York. Richard M. Johnson, 
of Kentucky, was chosen vice-president by the Senate, no choice 
having been effected by the people. 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD XIII. 
t 

MARTIN VAN BUREN, President. 

Inaugurated at Washington, March 4th, 1837; retired March 3d, 1841. 

RICHARD M. JOHNSON, Vice-president. 

HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENTS. 

3 -on F.rsyth, Georgia, (continued in office), Secretary of State. 

Lfvi Woodbury, N. Hampshire, (continued in office), Sec'y of Treasury. 

J- el R. Poinsett, S. Carolina, March 7, 1837, Secretary of War. 



Mahlon I>ickerson, New Jersey, (continued in office), ) a > c t ^ e -\~ avy 
Jarne.s K. Paulding, New York, June 30, 1838,$' " •*' 

Amos Kendall, Kentucky, (continued in office), ^p , tmaitfcrs Gen. 

John M . Nile?, Connecticut, May 25, 1840, $ 

Benjamin F Butler, New York, (continued in office) ,j Atto GfcneraL 

I eUx Grundy, Tennessee, September 1, 1838, S ' 



SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 

James K. Polk, Tennessee, Twenty-sixth Congress, 1 

R. M. T. Hunter, Virginia, Twenty-seventh do. 1839. 

1. Prior to the elevation of Mr. Van Buren to the presidency, 
he had been long in public life ; and had been honored with sev- 
eral offices in his native state, and under the general government. 
He had not, indeed, like all his predecessors, been connected 
more or less with the scenes of the Revolution, for he was born 
in the concluding year of the war. But, in the swiftly revolv- 
ing years, it was evident that the time must soon come when 
others than the men of '76 would be called to the helm of 
government. On the day of Mr. Van Buxen's inauguration, a 
long and elaborate farewell address by General Jackson to tha 
people of the United States was circulated in "Washington, and 
thence was extensively spread through the country. 



280 PERIOD XIIT. — 1837— 1841.— VAN BUREN. 

2. In developing the administration of Mr. Van Buren, the 
following topics will be noticed : 



Condition of the Country. 
Suspension of Specie Payments. 
Extra Session of Congress. 
Resumption of Specie Payments. 
Seminole War. 



Internal Improvements. 
Difficulties in Maine. 
Border Troubles. 
Sub-Treasury Bill. 
Election of General Harrison. 



I. Condition of TnE Country. — In less than a month after 
the accession of Mr. Van Buren, the pecuniary affairs of the 
country, seriously deranged as they had been during the latter part 
of General Jackson's administration, became visibly worse. Dur- 
ing March and April, the failures in the city of New York were 
alone estimated to amount to nearly one hundred millions of dol- 
lars. Confidence, consequently, was destroyed. Not a few who 
retired at night in comparative affluence awoke in the morning 
bankrupt, and without a home. ■ 

II. Suspension of Specie Payments. — In this state of pecu- 
niary embarrassment, Mr. Van Buren was earnestly solicited, by 
a delegation from New York, sent for that purpose, to rescind 
the " specie requiring circular," and to summon at once an extra 
session of Congress ; but he declined to comply with these re- 
quests. Two days after the report of the above delegation to 
their constituents in New York, the banks in that city, without 
exception, ceased to redeem their notes in specie. This exciting 
and depressing intelligence travelled with unwonted speed, pro- 
ducing, in its progress, in all parts of the country, a similar sus- 
pension on the part of the banks. 

III. Extra Session of Congress. — Although the presi- 
dent had declined convoking Congress, subsequent events early 
pressed that measure upon him. At his summons, therefore, 
that body met on the 4th of September, and closed its session on 
the 16th of October following. The president, in his message, 
assigned as the causes of the existing pecuniary distress, over- 
action in business, arising from the excessive issues of bank 
paper, and other facilities for the acquirement and enlargement 
of credit ; the contraction of a large foreign debt ; investments 
in unproductive lands; vast internal improvements; and the 
great loss sustained by the commercial emporium of the nation 
in the fire of December, 1835. This calamity occurred during 
a season of intense cold, on the night of the 16th of Decem- 
ber. Five hundred and twenty-nine buildings were consumed, 
and property to the amount of nearly twenty millions of dol- 
lars. Many of the insurance companies were ruined ; but few 



SEMINOLE WAR. 281 

mercantile houses failed, forbearance being practised by all, and 
mutual aid being rendered to a most commendable degree. Con- 
gress confined its legislation to two measures. One was the 
postponement to the 1st day of January, 1839, of the payment 
of the fourth instalment of the deposits with the states ; and the 
second was the issue of treasury notes to an amount not exceed- 
ing ten millions of dollars, reimbursable in one year, and of 
denominations of not less than fifty dollars. 

IV. Resumption of Specie Payments. — To the great joy of 
the whole country, especially commercial men, the banks, by 
previous concert, resumed the payment of specie, on the 13th of 
August, 1838. But, in October of the following year, the banks 
of Philadelphia again suspended ; and in this they were followed 
by the banks of Pennsylvania generally, and the states south 
and west. The suspension of specie payments in May, 1836, 
was begun by the banks of New York, and the rest of the Union 
followed. In 1837, the banks of New York were required by 
law to resume. They naturally endeavored to induce other 
banks to do voluntarily what they were compelled to, do by law. 
The public also were anxious for resumption. An effort wast 
made to accomplish this object, and was effected, contrary, how- 
ever, to the opinion of some of the ablest financiers of the coun- 
try, who predicted a relapse. This prediction was verified in 
respect to the banks of Philadelphia and the south. The banks 
of New York and New England, with some few temporary excep- 
tions, resolved to continue the payment of specie, which, with 
great effort, they were able to accomplish. 

V. Seminole War.* — 1. The war with the Seminoles, in Flor- 
ida, which commenced during the presidency of General Jackson, 
was continued during the greater part of Mr. Van Buren's admin- 
istration, occasioning accumulated expense to the government, 
while the sickly character of the climate in which it was carried 
on proved generally fatal to the American soldiers engaged in it. 

2. At length, a treaty was effected with the Indians, by Gen- 
eral Jessup, by which they agreed upon a suspension of hostili- 
ties, and to their removal beyond the Mississippi. Through the 
influence of Osceola, however, this treaty was broken ; whereupon 
General Jessup seized and confined him, although he had come 
to the American camp under protection of a flag. For this 

* This harassing warfare was brought to a close by Colonel Worth, and 
on the 14th of August, 1842, an official announcement was made that the 
war with the Indians in the territory of Florida had ceased. Millions of 
money were expended in the war, and hundreds of valuable lives were sac- 
rificed ; great numbers perished by disease contracted in traversing swamps 
and the waters of stagnant pools and lakes, among what are called the 
" Everglades of Florida." 
24* 



282 PERIOD Xni. — 1837—1841. — VAN BUREN. 

violation of the flag, General Jessup was by many severely cen- 
sured. But he pleaded, in justification, the treachery of the sav- 
age chief, and the necessity of his confinement to the security of 
peace. Osceola never regained his liberty. After months of 
confinement in Fort Moultrie, he ended his life by fever. 

3. The capture of this brave Seminole chief did not, however, 
terminate the war. Frequent encounters were had with the 
Indians during the years 1838, 1839, and 1840. At length, in 
December of the latter year, Colonel Harney, distinguished for 
his knowledge of Indian warfare, penetrated into the recesses 
of the everglades of Florida, where he succeeded in capturing a 
considerable number of the enemy. 

VI. Internal Improvements. — During Mr. Van Buren's 
administration, large sums were appropriated for internal im- 
provements, although he was generally opposed, as was his 
predecessor, to the policy. The expenditures were chiefly for 
repairs of the Cumberland Road, and its continuance through the 
States of Indiana and Illinois ; and for light-houses, life-boats, 
buoys, and monuments; the latter of which class of objects 
would seem to be intimately connected with the interests of 
navigation. 

VII. Difficulties in Maine. — The north-eastern boundary 
had long been a source of difficulty between the United States 
and Great Britain. The question had seemed to be on the eve 
of a decision by arms between the British authorities in New 
Brunswick and the State of Maine. Armed bands had been sent 
out, on both sides, to the territory in dispute. In this posture of 
things, General Scott was deputed by the executive to repair 
to the scene of contention ; and, through his wise and conciliatory 
policy, the public peace was preserved, although the question was 
not yet settled. In 1839, Congress clothed the executive with 
ample powers to defend the territory in dispute, should Great 
Britain attempt to exercise exclusive jurisdiction over it. Mean- 
while, an appropriation was made for sending a special minister 
to England, should such a measure be deemed advisable, in the 
opinion of the executive. 

VIII. Northern Border Troubles. — 1. The Canada rebel- 
lion, — so called, — which broke out during the years 1837-38, 
strongly enlisted the sympathies of many Americans, especially in 
the northern parts of the States of New York and Vermont. 
They regarded it as the sacred cause of liberty and human rights. 
In consequence of this, they assumed the name of patriots, and 
formed associations called Hunters' Lodges, with the object of 
aiding the insurgents in their efforts to establish the independ- 
ence of Canada. 



ELECTION OF GENERAL HARRISON 283 

2. In the prosecution of this design, a daring party took 
possession of Navy Island, situated in Niagara river, about two 
miles above the falls, and within the jurisdiction of Upper Can- 
ada. This party increased to seven hundred, and were well 
supplied with provisions, and twenty pieces of cannon. They 
repeatedly fired upon the Canada shore, and upon passing boats. 

3. At length, a small steamboat, called the Caroline, was 
hired by the insurgents to ply between Navy Island and Schlosser, 
on the American shore, to furnish them with the means of carry- 
ing on the war. In December, a detachment of one hundred 
and fifty Canadians in five boats, under cover of night, proceeded, 
with muffled oars, to Schlosser, where they cut the Caroline from 
her fastenings, and, setting her on fire, let her drift over the falls. 
A man by the name of Durfee was killed, and two or three more 
were reported to have been consumed in the steamboat. The 
Americans, in turn, were greatly excited, and a serious interrup- 
tion of the peaceful relations of the two governments was pre- 
vented only by a prompt and admonitory proclamation of the 
president. 

IX. Sub-Treasury Bill. — In nearly every message of Mr. 
Van Buren, he had strongly recommended, and even urged the 
adoption of a new mode of keeping the public moneys; namely, 
by the appointment of independent sub-treasurers, to whom the 
custody of it should be confided, — subject, however, to the call of 
the Secretary of the Treasury. This was the great financial meas- 
ure of his administration. At length, in 1840 Congress, which, 
until now, had rejected the measure, adopted it, to the great 
gratification of the president and his friends ; but by the oppo- 
sition it was long and strongly resisted. 

X. Election of General Harrison. — Mr. Van Buren 
was a candidate for reelection in the canvass of 1840. But, 
during the progress of his administration, great political changes 
were effected. By not a few, even of his friends, his policy was 
doubted. The political campaign was most exciting. For 
months, the friends of the rival candidates, from Georgia to 
Maine, were engaged by night and by day.. But, at length, tha 
day of decision came, and William Henry Harrison, of Ohio, 
was elected as the successor of Mr. Van Buren. John Tyler^ 
of Virginia, was elected vice-president. 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD XIV. 

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, President. 

Inaugurated at Washington, March 4th, 1841 ; died April 4th, 1841. 

JOHN TYLER, Vice-president. 

HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENTS. 

Daniel Wehster, Massachusetts, March 5, 1841, Secretary of State. 

Thomas Ewfng, Ohio, March 5, 1841, Secretary of Treasury, 

John Bell, Tennessee, March 5, 1841, Secretary of "War. 

George E. Badger, North Carolina, March 5, 1841, Secretary of the Navy. 

Francis Granger, New York, March 5, 1841, Postmaster General. 

J. J. Crittenden, Kentucky, March 5, 1841, Attorney General. 

SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 

John White, Kentucky, Twenty-eighth Congress, 1841. 

John W. Jones, Virginia, Twenty-ninth do 1843. 

1. The inaugural address of General Harrison was a clear, 
plain and comprehensive document ; less stately than that of 
Washington, less philosophic than Jefferson's, and less terse 
than Mr. Madison's ; but to the great body of the president's 
constituents it was very acceptable. In conclusion, the new 
president beautifully and forcibly alluded to the Christian 
religion, as intimately connected with, and essential to, the 
interests of the country. He said : " I deem the present occa- 
sion sufficiently important and solemn to justify me in express- 
ing to my fellow-citizens a profound reverence for the Christian 
religion, and a thorough conviction that sound morals, religious 
liberty, and a just sense of religious responsibility, are essen- 
tially connected with all true and lasting happiness." 

2. In one short month from the time he stood on the steps of 
the eastern portico of the capitol, lifting his hand to heaven, 
and swearing to be faithful to God and his country, General 



ACCESSION OF JOHN TYLER 



285 



Harrison was a pallid corpse in the national mansion. For 
Buch a bereavement the nation was in no wise prepared It 
came upon them with the suddenness of lightning, and as a 
thunderbolt from the hand of Almighty power. The mourning 
was sincere, as it was deep and universal. Even political 
opponents united to do the deceased president honor. Funeral 
processions were had in every principal city; and funeral 
orations were pronounced in his favor, or funeral discourses 
delivered by the ministers of religion, in which suitable admoni- 
tions were imparted to the people. 

3. The legitimate successor, by the constitution, to the presi- 
dential chair, on the demise of General Harrison, was John 
Tyler, of Virginia, who had been elected to the office of vice- 
president at the time the former had succeeded to that of 
president, and who now entered upon the administration of the 
government. 



JOHN TYLER, President. 
Assumed the government, April 4th, 1841 ; retired March 3d, 1845. 

[ The cabinet of General Harrison continued in office under Mr 
Tyler till September, when they all resigned, excepting Mr. Webster, 
who remained till the 8th of May, 1843, when the Department of State 
Was temporarily filled by the Attorney General, Hugh S. Legare.] 



HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENTS. 



Abel P. Upshur, 
John C. Calhoun, 
Walter Forward, 
John C. Spencer, 
George M. Bibb, 
John C. Spencer, 
James M. Porter, 
William Wilkins, 
Abel P. Upshur, 
David Henshaw, 
Thomas W. Gilmer, 
John Y. Mason, 
Charles A. Wickliffe, 
Hugh S. Legare, 
John Nelson, 
John Y. Mason, 



Va., 

S. C, 

Penn., 

N. Y., 

Ky., 

N. Y., 

Penn., 

Perm., 

Va., 

Mass., 

Va., 

Va., 

Ky., 

S. C, 

Md., 

Va., 



January 2, 
March 6, 
September 13, 
March 3, 
June 15, 
December 20, 
March 8, 
February 15, 
September 13, 
July 24, 
February 15, 
March 14, 
September 13, 
September 13, 
January 2, 
March 5, 



Secretaries of State. 
■ Secretaries of Treasury. 

Secretaries of War. 

Secretaries of the Navy, 
Postmaster General. 
Attorneys General. 



1. The bereavement which the nation had experienced seemed 
to demand from it a solemn recognition of a Divine Provi- 
dence in the sad event. Accordingly, Mr. Tyler very properly 
appointed a day of public humiliation, fasting and prayer, to be 
observed throughout the land, in token of its sense of the divine 



286 PERIOD XIV. — 1841— 1845.— TITLER. 

judgment, and as a means of securing the continuance of the 
divine favor. This was well received, and the day was reli- 
giously observed throughout our widely extended country. 

2. In the room of an inaugural address, President Tyler made 
an official declaration, in a published document, of the principles 
and general course of policy which he intended should mark his 
administration. These, as summarily expressed, were generally 
satisfactory to his political friends. The principal measures and 
events of President Tyler's administration will be noticed in 
the following order: 



Extra Session of Congress. 

Apportionment of Representa- 
tives. 

Exploring Expedition. 

Settlement of North-eastern 
Boundary. 

Modification of the Tariff. 



Repeal of Bankrupt Law. 
Bunker Hill Monument. 
Explosion on board Steam-ship 
Treaty with China. 
Annexation of Texas. 
Admission of Florida and Iowa. 
Election of Mr. Polk. 



1. Extra Session of Congress. — 1. Previous to his decease, 
General Harrison had summoned an extra session of Congress, 
on the 31st of May, 1841. Several important measures were 
adopted during its session.' First, a uniform system of bankruptcy 
throughout the United States. Many thousands of unfortunate 
debtors needed relief; and the object of the system was to absolve 
them from the claims of their creditors, on their relinquish- 
ment of all their property. A second measure adopted was the 
repeal of the sub-treasury law, enacted towards the close of Mr. 
Van Buren's administration. A third bill passed, providing for 
the distribution of the net proceeds of the public lands among 
the several states, according to their population. 

2. But the great object of the extra session was the estab- 
lishment of a national bank. Such an institution, it was thought 
by many, was greatly needed. But the president, having strong 
objections to it, vetoed two bills, both of which, but especially 
the latter, it was thought, would meet his approbation. These 
vetoes gave great dissatisfaction to the members of President 
Tyler's cabinet, all of whom, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. 

II. Apportionment of Representatives. — The census of 
1840 having shown a large increase of population in the United 
States, — exceeding thirty-two and a half per cent, for the last ten 
years, and amounting in the aggregate to a fraction more than 
seventeen millions, — Congress, at its session in 1841-42, made 
H new apportionment of representatives among the several States 



MODIFICATION OF THE TARIFF. 287 

adopting the ratio of one for every seventy thousand six hundred 
and eighty inhabitants. 

III. Exploring Expedition. — During the month of June, 
1842, an exploring expedition, fitted out by the general govern- 
ment, returned to the United States, having been absent nearly 
four years, and having sailed nearly ninety thousand miles. 
During their absence, they discovered, it was supposed, an 
antarctic continent. The number of sketches of natural scenery 
brought home was some five hundred ; the number of portraits, 
about two hundred. Of birds, one thousand species, and twice 
that number of specimens, were collected, besides great numbers 
of fishes, reptiles, insects, shells, &c. This expedition was fitted 
out at great expense, and its results have proved highly hon- 
orable, both to the nation which projected and the officers 
who executed it. Several volumes, containing a history of the 
expedition, with its discoveries, scientific researches, &c, have 
been published at the national expense. 

IV. Settlement of North-eastern Boundary. — The im- 
portant event of defining and agreeing upon the north-eastern 
boundary of the United States took place in 1842; and the 
treaty with England on this subject, negotiated by Mr. Webster 
and Lord Ashburton, in behalf of the respective powers, was rati- 
fied by the Senate in August. The proper boundary between the 
United States and the British possessions, in that quarter, had 
been a matter of serious controversy and difficulty for nearly 
half a century, and on several occasions had well-nigh produced 
hostilities. Fortunately, Mr. Webster was still a member of the 
cabinet, and brought the weight of his character and official 
station to bear upon the question. 

V. Modification of the Tariff. — 1. In 1842, a bill passed 
Congress making essential alterations in the tariff of 1836. The 
revenues of the United States are chiefly derived from duties 
laid on imported goods. It is necessary, therefore, that they 
should be so laid as to raise sufficient funds for the government. 
This is conceded by all parties ; but a portion of the country 
would limit the tariff to the actual wants of the government, what- 
ever should become of the manufacturing interest. On the other 
hand, this interest claims that, in fixing a tariff, respect should also 
be had to home industry ; and that, if necessary to foster and 
protect it, the tariff should so far be discriminating and protective. 

2. The tariff of 1842 was designed not only to raise revenue, 
but to protect such branches of manufacture as could not be sus- 
tained without it. Hence, the bill was powerfully sustained 
by its friends, and as strongly opposed by its enemies. It 



288 PERIOD XIV. — 1841— 1845. — TYLER. 

passed both houses of Congress, but the president vetoed it. 
This was a severe trial to the friends of the measure ; and, for 
a time, they were at a loss how to proceed. But, fortunately, 
a second bill was introduced, divested of several objectionable 
features of the former bill, and to this the president gave his 
sanction. 

VI. Repeal of the Bankrupt Law. — At the time the 
bankrupt law was passed (p. 286), there existed a strong senti- 
ment in its favor, throughout the country. But dishonest men 
took advantage of it to defraud their creditors. Many con- 
cealed their property, at the same time declaring that they had 
none. This brought the law into disrepute, and led to its early 
repeal. 

VII. Bunker Hill Monument. — 1. In June, 1842, this 
noble monument having been completed, the event was cele- 
brated with appropriate demonstrations of joy. The President 
of the United States and his cabinet were invited to honor 
the day and occasion. The celebration took place on the 17th, 
and an oration was pronounced by Daniel Webster. The scene 
was grand and imposing. Thousands were gathered to thtf 
spot once moistened by the blood of patriots; and grateful 
homage went up to Him, under whose fostering care the nation 
enjoyed a measure of prosperity unknown to any other nation on 
the globe. 

2. But scarcely were the festivities of the occasion ended, 
when the melancholy intelligence was circulated, that Mr. Legare, 
the Attorney General, and acting Secretary of State, had suddenly 
deceased at his lodgings, in Boston. He had followed the presi- 
dent, to mingle in the joys of the occasion ; but sickness fell upon 
him, and in a brief space he was numbered with the dead. He 
sustained the reputation of a man of rare endowments, of great 
acquisitions, and exalted character. 

VIII. Explosion on board the Steamship Princeton. — In 
March of the following year, a tragical event occurred on board of 
the United States steamship Princeton, during her return from an 
excursion down the Potomac, which deserves mention, as, besides 
others, two members of the cabinet were instantly deprived of 
life, by the bursting of one of her guns, — Mr. Upshur, the 
Secretary of State, and Mr. Gilmer, Secretary of the Navy. 1 ^ 

* Captain Stockton, the commander of the ship, had invited the president, 
secretaries with their families, and several members of Congress, to an excursion 
down the river. The day was fine; the company large and brilliant, — prob- 
ably not less than four hundred, — of both sexes. During the passage, one of 
the large guns on board, called the " Peace-maker," carrying a ball of two 



ANNEXATION OF TEXAS. 289 

IX. Treaty with China. — On the 10th of January, 1845, 
an important treaty between the United States and the Chinese 
empire was ratified by the Senate, by a unanimous vote. This 
treaty was concluded by Caleb Cushing, United States commis- 
sioner to China, and Tsiyeng, the governor-general, on the part 
of the Emperor Taow Kwang, at Hang-Hiya, on the 3d of July, 

1844. By this treaty, our relations with China were placed on 
a new footing, eminently favorable to the commerce and other 
interests of the United States. 

X. Annexation or Texas. — On the 1st of March, 1845, 
the president gave his signature to a joint resolution * for the 
annexation of Texas to the United States. This annexation had 
been for some time contemplated by the advocates of the measure ; 
and had actually been attempted by President Tyler, by treaty, 
in 1844, which, however, was rejected by the Senate. Now, 
the subject was brought forward in a different form, and was 
adopted by a majority of both Houses of Congress. 

XI. Admission of Florida and Iowa. — On the 3d of March, 

1845, the day that terminated the official career of Mr. Tyler, 
Congress passed an act admitting the above two states into the 
Union. Florida was so called by Juan Ponce de Leon, as early 
as 1572, because it was discovered on Easter Sunday ; in Span- 
hundred and twenty-five pounds, was fired several times, exhibiting the 
great power and capacity of that formidable weapon of war. The ladies had 
partaken of a sumptuous repast; the gentlemen had succeeded them at the 
table, and some of them had left it. The vessel was on her return up the 
river, opposite the fort, when Captain Stockton consented to fire another shot 
from the same gun, around and near which, to observe its effect, many per- 
sons had gathered, though by no means so many as had witnessed thj pre- 
vious discharge. 

The gun was fired. The explosion was followed, before the smoke cleared 
away so as to observe its effect, by shrieks of woe, which announced a dire 
calamity. The gun had burst, three or four feet from the breech, and scat- 
tered death and desolation. Mr. Upshur, Secretary of State, Mr. Gilmer, re- 
cently appointed Secretary of the Navy, Commodore Kennon, one of its gallant 
officers, Virgil Maxcy, lately returned from a diplomatic residence at the 
Hague, Mr. Gardiner, of New York, formerly a member of the Senate of that 
state, were among the slain. Besides these, seventeen seamen were wounded, 
several of them mortally. Others were stunned by the concussion, among 
whom were Captain Stockton, Colonel Benton, of the Senate, Lieutenant Hunt, 
of the Princeton, and W. D. Robinson, of Georgetown. 

* To this resolution there were three conditions: — The 1st was, that Texas 
should adopt a constitution, and lay it before Congress, on, or before, the 1st 
day of January, 1846. 2. That all mines, minerals, fortifications, arms, 
navy, &c, should be ceded to the United States. 3. That new states might 
hereafter be formed out of the said territory. An amendment of Mr. Walker 
allowed the President of the United States, instead of proceeding to submit 
the foregoing resolutions to the republic of Texas, as an overture on the parfc 
af the United States for admission, to negotiate with that republic. 

25 



290 PERIOD XIV. — 1841— 1845. — TYLER. 

ish, Pascus Florida. Iowa derives its name from a tribe of 
Indians ; and was so called in 1838, when it was first erected 
into a separate territorial government. For a further account of 
Florida, see p. 263. 

XII. Election of Mr. Polk. — On the occurrence of a new 
presidential election, the rival candidates were James K. Polk, of 
Tennessee, and Henry Clay, of Kentucky. The strife between 
the adherents of each of these was eager and persevering ; and 
for a time the issue appeared doubtful. But the close of the can- 
vass showed that Mr. Polk, the Democratic nominee, had been 
elected. George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, was elected vice* 
president. 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD XV. 



JAMES K. POLK, President. 
Inaugurated at Washington, March 4th, 1845 ; retired March 3d, 1849. 

GEORGE M. DALLAS, Vice-president. 



James Buchanan, 
Robert J. "Walker, 
William L. Marcy, 
George Bancroft, 
John Y. Mason, 
Cave Johnson, 
John Y. Mason, 
Nathan Clifford, 
Isaac Toucey, 



HEADS OF TIIE DEPARTMENTS. 

Pennsylvania, March 5, 1845, 

Mississippi, March 5, 1845, 

New York, March 5, 1845, 

Massachusetts, March 10, 1845, ) 

Virginia, Sept. 9, 1846, 5 

Tennessee, March 5, 1845, 

Virginia, March 5, 1845, 

Maine, Dec. 23, 184(5 

Connecticut, June 21, 1848 



3 



Secretary of State. 
Secretary of Treasury 
Secretary of War. 

See's of the Navy. 

Postmaster General. 

Attorneys General. 



speakers of the house of representatives. 

John W. Davis, Indiana, Twenty-ninth Congress, 1845. 

Robert C. Winthrop, Massachusetts, Thirtieth, do. 1847. 

The events and measures which, signalized the administration 
of Mr. Polk were the following : 



Death of General Jackson. 
Admission of Texas. 
Difficulties with Mexico. 
Division of Oregon. 
Commencement of Hostilities. 
Siege of Fort Brown. 
Battle of Palo Alto. 
Battle of Resaca de la Palma. 
Fall of Monterey. 
Proceedings of Congress. 
Battle of Buena Vista. 
Naval Operations. 
Army of the West. 



Expedition of Doniphan. 
Reduction of Vera Cruz. 
Battle of Cerro Gordo. 
Progress of the Army. 
Contreras. — Churubusco. 
Attempts at Peace. 
Reduction of Chepultepec. 
Occupation of Mexico. 
Treaty. 

Death of Mr. Adams. 
Admission of Wisconsin. 
Election of General Taylor. 



292 PERIOD XV. — 1845— 1849. — POLK. 

1. Death of General Jackson. — 1 . On the 8th of June, 
General Jackson, " the hero of New Orleans," breathed his last, 
at his residence, at the Hermitage, Tennessee, in the seventy- 
ninth year of his age. He died expressing his belief in the 
Gospel, and resting his hopes of pardon and acceptance with God 
on the merits of Jesus Christ. He took an affectionate leave of 
his family, expressing his hope that he should meet them in a 
better world. 

2. General Jackson was, doubtless, no ordinary man. For 
many years he occupied a prominent place in the affairs of his 
country. Whatever may have been thought of the wisdom or 
constitutionality of some of his measures, all united in awarding 
to him the merit of honesty, and a true desire to promote the 
welfare of the nation ; and, when death laid him in the grave, 
political differences were forgotten, and political opponents united 
in paying a high and well-merited tribute to his memory. 

II. Admission of Texas. — 1. On the assembling of Congress, 
in December, President Polk informed that body that the terms 
of annexation which were offered by the United States to Texas 
had been accepted by her (p. 289) ; and that nothing, therefore, 
remained, to consummate that annexation, but the passage of an 
act to admit her into the Union on an equal footing with the 
original states. 

2. In accordance with this suggestion, a joint resolution of 
admission was early introduced into Congress ; and, although 
great and weighty objections were urged against the measure, it 
received a large majority in both branches. These objections 
were, in substance, as follows : — 1. That to enlarge the boun- 
daries of our government, or the territory over which our laws 
are now established, would be to endanger the permanency of 
our institutions. 2. That the admission of Texas would extend 
and perpetuate slavery. 3. That it would lead to a collision 
with Mexico. 4. That the process of admission was unconsti- 
tutional. Texas was admitted to the Union, with the privilege of 
sending two representatives to the National Assembly, although 
her population was insufficient to entitle her to one. 

III. Difficulties with Mexico. — 1. In consequence of 
'the foregoing measures of the American Congress in relation to 
Texas, while claimed by Mexico as her province, the Mexican 
minister demanded his passports, and left the country ; while, 
at a subsequent date, the American minister, Mr. Slidell, was 
refused a reception and recognition as such by the Mexican gov 
crnment. 



COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES. 293 

2. A serious and open rupture with that power was now 
apparently at hand. An order was therefore issued to General 
Taylor, to break up his camp at Corpus Christi, in Texas, where 
he had, for some time, been stationed, with a body of troops ; 
to pass the river Nueces, claimed by Mexico as her boundary, 
and to take post on the left bank of the Rio Grande, within 
the territory mutually claimed by Texas and Mexico. This act 
was deemed, by the Mexican government, a commencement of 
hostilities ; and they determined to continue them. 

IV. Division of Oregon. — 1. Prior to Mr. Polk's accession 
to the presidency, several attempts had been made by the govern- 
ments of Great Britain and the United States to settle, by 
negotiation, questions in dispute between them, as to the pro- 
prietorship and occupation of Oregon, — all of which, however, 
had failed. In 1818, it was mutually agreed that the harbors, 
bays, &c, of that territory, should be open to the citizens of both 
countries, for ten years. In 1827, this agreement was continued, 
with the proviso that either party might rescind it, by giving 
the other party twelve months' notice. In subsequent years, 
other propositions were made, which failing, in 1845, upon the 
recommendation of the president, Congress authorized him to 
give the twelve months' notice. 

2. Accordingly, in April, 1846, this notice was given ; but, 
before it was delivered, the British minister informed the presi- 
dent that his government was ready to enter upon the settlement 
of the vexed question. This being acceded to, Mr. Packenham, 
on the part of the British government, and Mr. Buchanan, on 
that of the United States, compromised the difficulties, by a 
treaty negotiated at Washington. 

3. By this treaty, the northern boundary of Oregon was fixed 
by a line of latitude 49 degrees, while to the British was ceded the 
whole of Vancouver's Island, and the joint navigation of the 
Columbia. The amicable settlement of this question was a sub- 
ject of congratulation in both hemispheres, as, previously, indica- 
tions were daily increasing of an approaching rupture. 

V. Commencement of Hostilities. — 1. Agreeably to orders, 
General Taylor moved from Corpus Christi, on the 8th of March 
1846, and on the 25th reached Point Isabel, a harbor on the Texas 
coast, nearest the mouth of the Rio Grande. Having here deposited 
a portion of his stores, under guard of Major Munroe, with four 
hundred and fifty men, he proceeded to the mouth of the Rio 
Grande, opposite the Spanish city, Matamoras. 

2. Here he intrenched himself, and commenced a fort, to 
25* 



294 PERIOD XV. — 1845— 1849. — POLK. 

Which he gave the name of Fort Brown, after its destined com« 
mander, and whose guns pointed to the heart of the city. Mean- 
while, the Mexicans industriously fortified Matamoras, while 
General Ampudia gave notice to General Taylor to break up his 
encampment, within twenty-four hours. 

3. On the 24th of April, General Arista superseded Ampu- 
dia, and communicated to Taylor that he " considered that hos- 
tilities had commenced, and that he should continue them." On 
the same day, Captain Thornton, who had been sent by General 
Taylor, with sixty-three dragoons, up the river, to reconnoitre, 
fell into an ambuscade, and was obliged to surrender, with the 
loss of sixteen killed and wounded. Captain Thornton himself 
effected an escape, by an extraordinary leap of his horse ; but, 
subsequently, he was taken prisoner, and conducted to Matamoras. 
This was the first actual fight of the war. 

VI. Siege of Fout Brown. — 1. While these events were 
transpiring, General Taylor received intelligence that Point Isabel, 
thirty miles from Fort Brown, where his stores were deposited, 
was about being assailed. To keep open communication with 
that point, and to guard his stores, were essential. 

2. Accordingly, leaving Major Brown in command of the 
fort, with a competent garrison, he commenced his march, with 
the main body of his army, towards Point Isabel, leaving instruc- 
tions that, in case the fort was attacked, information should be 
given by firing the eighteen-pounders at stated intervals. 

3. For two days following the departure of the army, the 
fort remained unmolested ; but, on the third morning, the Mexi- 
cans opened a battery of seven guns, killing Sergeant Weigard, 
but otherwise effecting no material damage. But, at length, the 
situation of the fort became critical, — Major Brown having been 
mortally wounded, — whereupon, the signal-guns were fired. 

VII. Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. — 1. 
The signal-guns were heard by General Taylor, who left Point 
Isabel, on the evening of the 7th, with a force of two thousand 
men. At the distance of seven miles he encamped, resuming his 
march early on the morning of the 8th. 

2. In their progress, they, at length, reached a broad prairie, 
bounded by Palo Alto, a thick grove of dwarfish trees. On 
either side of the American army were ponds of water, and 
beyond them chapparal, or thick entangled hedges. Upon this 
prairie a large body of Mexicans were drawn up in battle 
array. 

3. No time was lost on the part of the Americans. The 
battle soon opened; and, at the expiration of two hours, the 



PALO ALTO AND RESACA DE LA PALMA. 295 

Mexican batteries began to slacken. They were unable to stand 
before the terrible fire of Ringgold's, Churchill's, Duncan's and 
Ridgeley's guns. They again formed in a new line, but in a 
few hours were compelled to retire. Before doing so, however, 
they poured upon Ptinggold's battery a tempest of balls. 

4. The brave Captain Page fell, mortally wounded ; and 
nearly at the same time the heroic Ringgold met a similar fate. 
Night now put an end to the contest. The Mexicans left the 
field in disorder : the Americans sank exhausted upon the 
ground where they were. 

5. At two o'clock on the following morning, the American 
army was summoned to renew its march towards Fort Brown. 
Towards evening, what was their surprise, on approaching a 
ravine, called Resaca de la Palma, or the Dry River of Palma, 
to discover the Mexican army occuping this well-selected spot, 
and again drawn up in order of a battle ! 

6. A vigorous action immediately ensued. It was a shorter 
contest than at Palo Alto, but much more severe, and still 
more favorable to the American arms. 1 ^ Eight pieces of artil- 
lery were captured, three standards, and a large number of 
prisoners, among whom was the Spanish-Mexican General La 
Vega. Following the battle, General Taylor continued his 
march to Fort Brown ; and, on the 18th, took possession of the 
city of Matamoras, on the opposite side of the river, 

7. Shortly after the foregoing battles, — that is, on the 23d of 
May, — the Mexican government made a formal declaration of 
war against the United States. This latter power made no 
such declaration ; but, on receiving from General Taylor an 
account of the first blood shed (April 24th), when Captain 
Thornton's party was waylaid, and a portion slain, the presi- 
dent announced to Congress, May 11th, that the Mexicans had 
" invaded our territory, and shed the blood of our citizens on its 



* It was during this battle that the celebrated charge of Captain May 
occurred. A Mexican battery, under command of General La Vega, was 
doing great execution, when May was ordered to take it. "I will do it," 
said he, at the same time wheeling his troops, and pointing them to the bat- 
tery, pouring forth its terrific explosions. " Remember your regiment ! 
men, follow ! " He struck his charger, and bounded on before them, while a 
deafening cheer answered his call ; and immediately the whole were dashing 
toward the cannons' mouths. May outstripped them. Wonderful was hia 
escape, wonderful the escape of so many of his followers, exposed as they 
were to so fearful a fire. At a single bound May's horse cleared the battery; 
the horses of a few others were equal to the leap; wheeling again, they 
drove the gunners off, and took possession of the battery, which they dow 
employed against the enemy. It was a bold, perilous enterprise, but greatly 
added to the issues of the day. 



296 PERIOD XV. — IS 13— 1S49.— POLK 

own soil." To this Congress responded in two ways : first, bj 
declaring that "war existed by the act oi' Mexico ;" and second, 
by authorising the raising of tit't v thousand volnnteera for 

twelve months, and appropriating ten millions of dollars ibr 
parrying on the war. 

V ILL. Fall oi Monterey, — 1. Following the occupation of 
Matamoras, Genera) Taylor prepared, by order of the govern- 
ment, to advance into the interior of Mexico. During these 
preparations, occupying more than three months, several Mexican 
villages — Reinosa, Mier, Bevilla and Camargo — were taken 
possession o£ 

-. The latter part of August, the first division of the 
American army, under General Worth, took up its line of 
march towards Monterey, the capital oi' New Leon, some two 
hundred miles from Matamoras ; soon alter which, the other 
divisions followed, under command of General Twiggs and Gen- 
eral Butler. On the 9th of September, the several divisions 
were concentrated at a place called Walnut Springs, three 
miles distant from Monterey. 

o. This latter was a strongly fortified place, with a com- 
petent garrison, under command of General Ampudia. On the 
evening of the 19th of September, a reconnoissance of the forti- 
fications was made, and en the following day the attack was 
commenced by the division of General Worth. On the :21st 
and '2'2d, the siege was continued. On the morning of the 23 I, 
the streets of the upper part of the city became the scene of 
action ; here, all that day, the battle raged, the Americans pro- 
ceeding from house to house, and from square to square. 

4. Early on the 24th, sensible of his critical position 
Ampudia prepared to surrender. A suspension oi' hostilities 
was arranged ibr that purpose, and terms oi' capitulation were 
agreed upon. The Mexican forces were permitted to retire, 
and marched out with the honors of war. They consisted 
(besides forty-two pieces of mounted cannon) of seven thousand 
troops of the line, and two thousand irregulars. The American 
troops amounted to less than seven thousand. The loss of the 
latter was much less than that of the former. 

5. General Taylor, at the same time, acceded to a proposal 
by Ampudia for an armistice, made on the ground that a peace 
might shortly be expected, through the influence of Santa Anna, 
who had superseded 1'aredes, as president oi' the Mexican 
republic. To this he was also inclined, from the want of pro. 
visions to supply and of troops to guard the Mexican army, 
should he retain them as prisoners. The armistice thus allowed 



EATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 297 

wa« to continue eight weeks, unless revoked by one or }/>th of 
the interested governments. This the American govern in out 
did, as curly an was practicable. 

IX. PbOCEEDINOS IK CoHOBEgg. — 1. Besides providing fbv 

carrying on the war in Mexico, Congress, during its session of* 
1845—46, pawed several important bills which it. belongs to tail 
place to mention : — one for protecting the righto of American 
citizens in Oregon; a second, establishing a Smithsonian Insti- 
tute, for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men, from 
funds, to the amount of half a million of dollar.-;, given for that 

purpose, in 1^'>5, by James Smith-on, Esq., a generous and 
philanthropic Englishman; a third, reestablishing the sub- 
treasury ; and a fourth, altering the tariff of 1842. 

2. Until now, the tariff had been adjusted with reference to 
protecting the manufacturing interests of the country ; and 
he-nee discriminating and specific duties had been laid on 
imported articles, varying according to the necessity of protec- 
tion. But, by the tariff of 1846, this system of protection was 
in a great measure abandoned, and an ad valorem duty, or a 
duty aeeording to the value of the article, substituted. To 
this measure the Democratic party was pledged, while to the 
manufacturers of the country it prognosticated — so they 
thought — unavoidable ruin to many branches, although it 
might greatly enhance the revenues of the country, which it 
subsequently did. 

X. Battle of Buzna Vista. — 1. The capture of Monterey 

hairing been effected, several months were occupied in various 
military movements, in the neighboring provinces. General 
Taylor proceeded to and took possession of Victoria, the capita] 
of Tamaulipas; General Worth, at the head of nine hundred 
troops, marched on Saltillo, the capital of CoahnOa; General 
Wool w;. : ordered to proceed to Chihuahua (Chi-waw-waw), but, 
finding his proposed route to that province impracticable, he took 
post in the fertile region of Pan 

'i. While thus relatively situated, intelligence reached Gen- 
eral Worth that Santa Anna, had eoneentrated a force of twenty- 
two thousand men at San Luis Potosi, with which he soon 
intended to make a descent upon him. As General Taylor was 
at Victoria, two hundred miles distant, General Worth de- 
spatched an express to General Wool, to hasten to hi nee. 
To this the latter responded by an immediate march to Agua 
Nueva, a distance of one hundred and fifty miles, in four 'lays, 
and within twenty-one of Saltillo. 

% While at Victoria, the proposed expedition of Genera] 



298 PERIOD XV. — 1845— 1849. POLK 

Scott against Vera Cruz (hereafter noticed more fully) was 
communicated to General Taylor, accompanied by an order to 
transfer a large portion of his troops to the former A similar 
requisition was made upon General Wool. With these orders 
these patriotic generals, of course, complied, painful as the with- 
drawal of so many soldiers must have been, in their present 
position. 

4. The movements, also, of Santa Anna, were also communi- 
cated to General Taylor ; who, having returned to Monterey, 
took with him three hundred men, and urged his march to the 
camp of Wool, at Agua Nucva. Their combined force, includ- 
ing officers, amounted to only four thousand six hundred and 
ninety men. 

5. On the 21st of February (1847) the camp of Agua 
Nueva was broken up, and the army took post at Buena Vista, 
now placed in charge of General Wool, while General Taylor 
proceeded to Saltillo, eleven miles, to protect his military stores 
from a party of Mexicans, under General Minon. Meanwhile, 
Santa Anna, with his formidable army of more than twenty-two 
thousand troops, was pressing on to an attack. 

6. The following morning, the 22d, memorable as the birth 
day of the Father of his Country, the American army was drawn 
up in order of battle, and skirmishing ensued. General Taylor 
arrived. A haughty summons from Santa Anna to surrender 
was communicated, to which the hero of Palo Alto gave a char- 
acteristic reply, " I beg leave to say that I decline your request. " 
That day ended without a general battle, and the Americans 
remained under arms the following night. 

7. Before sunrise of the 23d, the Mexicans opened the 
attack. No pen can adequately describe the contest which 
ensued. It was long, desperate, sanguinary. On the part of 
the Americans, it was fought at fearful odds. Several times, 
they were on the point of being overwhelmed. At length, a 
final, desperate assault was made by Santa Anna, with his con- 
centrated forces, upon the American centre, commanded by Gen- 
eral Taylor in person. The shock was tremendous ; but, at the 
critical moment, the batteries of Bragg and Sherman appeared, 
and decided the contest. 

8. The battle ceased only with the departing day. The 
Americans lay upon their arms, prepared to renew the battle on 
the following morning ; but, during the night, the Mexicans 
withdrew, leaving their killed to be buried, and the wounded to 
be nursed by the victors. The loss of the latter bore no com- 
parison to that of the Mexicans; yet, among the American 



NAVAL OPERATIONS 299 

officers killed, were several of distinguished rank, — Colonels 
Hardin, McKee, and Yell, together with Captain George Lin- 
coln, aid to General Wool, and Lieutenant-colonel Clay, son of 
the eminent statesman of that name. 

9. The victory of Buena Vista secured to the Americans 
the quiet possession of the northern provinces of Mexico proper. 
Consequently, active operations in that quarter ceased ; and some 
months after, General Taylor, leaving General Wool in command 
at Montere} r , returned to the United States, to receive the admi- 
ration and honor to which he was entitled. 

XI. Naval Operations. — 1. Having followed the fortunes of 
General Taylor till his return to the United States, we next pro- 
ceed to notice other movements during the year 1846. At the 
commencement of the war, Commodore Sloat was in the Pacific, 
with a squadron. On the 7th of July, he took possession of 
Monterey, on that coast ; and, on the 9th, Commodore Montgom- 
ery, in charge of a part of the squadron, took Francisco, a port 
to the north. On the 15th, Commodore Stockton arrived in a 
frigate, and, in connection with Colonel Fremont (who had been 
sent out by the government the year previous, and who had, 
with the aid of Americans, established an independent govern- 
ment round the Bay of Francisco and north), proceeded to 
Ciudad de los Angeles, the capital, of which Stockton assumed 
the government, in the name and by authority of the President 
of the United States. 

2. The operations of the " Home Squadron " were confined 
to the capture of several maritime towns on the Gulf of Mexico, 
the most important of which were Tobasco and Tampico, — the 
former, by Commodore Perry, in October ; the latter, by Com- 
modore Conner, in November. 

XII. Army of the West. — 1. The army so called was organ- 
ized early after the commencement of the war, and the command 
of it given to General Kearney, with instructions to undertake 
the conquest of New Mexico and California. 

2. In obedience to these orders, General Kearney left Fort 
Leavenworth in June, 1846, passing a southerly course across 
the Platte, the branches of the Kansas, along the Arkansas, 
and thence south-westerly to Santa Fe, the capital of New 
Mexico, which he reacWon the 18th of August, having accom- 
plished a march of nine hundred miles, through wild and uncul- 
tivated regions, in the space of fifty days. 

3. Having taken peaceable possession of New Mexico, he 
organized a government, of which Charles Bent was constituted 
governor ; and then took up his line of march for California. 



800 PERIOD XV. — 1845— 1849. — POLK. 

Soon after leaving Santa Fe, he was informed, by express, 
despatched by Colonel Fremont, that the conquest of California 
had already been achieved ; whereupon, ordering the return of 
the main body of his troops to Santa Fe, he proceeded, under 
escort of one hundred men, towards California ; and on the 14tb 
of January, 1847, reached Los Angeles, where he met Commo- 
dore Stockton and Colonel Fremont. 

4. General Kearney now claimed the government of tho 
province, by virtue of his superior rank, and the authority of 
the executive. Commodore Stockton advocated the claims of 
Fremont. The latter refusing to obey the written orders of 
Kearney, he then proceeded to Monterey; where, issuing his 
proclamation as governor, he declared California annexed to the 
United States. 

5. At a subsequent date, Fremont was arrested by Kearney 
for disobedience to orders, and assumption of undelegated power. 
On his trial at Washington, the court-martial sentenced him to 
the loss of his commission. This the president offered to restore, 
which, however, was declined. 

XIII. Expedition of Colonel Doniphan. — 1. Before leav- 
ing Santa Fe for California, General Kearney directed Colonel 
Doniphan to commence his march on Chihuahua, immediately 
on the arrival of recruits, momentarily expected, under Colonel 
Price. By a second order, given after Kearney's departure, 
Doniphan was instructed to march his regiment against the 
Navajo Indians, who inhabited wild and distant regions at the 
west, and whose chiefs had failed, contrary to their promise, to be 
present at a council held at Santa Fe to negotiate a peace. 

2. Dividing his regiment into three bands, Doniphan assigned 
one to Major Gilpin, to pursue a northern route, a second to 
Colonel Jackson, to take a southerly direction, while with the 
third, under his immediate command, he would pursue a central 
course. It was a perilous enterprise; yet, after incredible 
hardships, and a march of hundreds of miles, it was accom- 
plished, — the chiefs were convened at Ojo Oso, or the Bear 
Springs, when a treaty was made with them, on the 22d of 
November. 

3. Doniphan next proceeded towards Chihuahua, where he 
expected to find General Wool ; but, on his route, he learned 
that Wool had abandoned the enterprise of reaching that prov- 
ince (p. 297). On approaching Chihuahua, he encountered an 
army of Mexicans, four thousand strong, come out to oppose his 
progress. These he ulterly routed, with a force of one thousand 
men; and, on the 2d of March, planted his standard on the citadel 



REDUCTION OF VERA CRUZ. 301 

of Chihuahua, a city of forty thousand inhabitants. The province 
also, with the city, fell into his possession. 

4. Having here recruited his army, Doniphan proceeded by 
Parras to Saltillo, the head-quarters of General Wool, which he 
reached on the 22d of May. As their time of service terminated 
with May, he proceeded with his troops to New Orleans, by way . 
of Camargo and the llio Grande, where they arrived on thef 
15th of June, having accomplished, doubtless, the longest and 
most toilsome and perilous march — a distance of five thousand 
miles — recorded in the annals of American history. 

XIV. Reduction of Vera Cruz. — 1. Although several places 
in the Mexican empire were in possession of the Americans, to 
its complete conquest it was deemed necessary to reach its capi- 
tal, by way of Vera Cruz, a maritime place on the Gulf of 
Mexico, some two hundred miles south-easterly from the city of 
Mexico. Nearly opposite, and on an island, stood the Castle of 
San Juan d'Uloa, a fortress long celebrated for its strength. 
The reduction of these — city and fortress — as preliminary to 
an advance on Mexico, was intrusted to General Scott. 

2. The American force employed in this memorable siege 
amounted to thirteen thousand men, a considerable portion of 
whom had been detached from the forces of Generals Taylor 
and Wool (p. 298). The rendezvous of the invading army was 
the Island of Lobos, one hundred and twenty-five miles from 
the city, from which they were conveyed by a squadron under 
Commodore Conner. The landing; was effected on the 2d of 
March, and the city invested on the 13th. 

3. The garrison refusing to surrender, a bombardment of 
the city w r as commenced on the night of the 18th. Alx>ut the 
came time, two steamers and five schooners opened a brisk fire. 
On the 23d, at daylight, a naval battery of three thirty-two 
pounders and three eight-inch Paixhan guns, which the previous 
day had been transported from the ships, with incredible difficulty, 
a distance of three miles, over a sandy and difficult route, to a 
commanding height within seven hundred yards of the city, 
was prepared to open its terrible fire. 

4. Early on the morning of the 26th, the work of destruction 
having been completed, the garrison offered to surrender. The 
fortress was surrendered at the same time, with five thousand 
prisoners (who were dismissed on parole), and five hundred pieces 
of artillery. Two American officers, Captains Alburtis and Vin- 
ton, and ten privates, were killed. Captain Swift died from ovej 
exertion. 

5. During the assault, not less than six thousand seven hun- 

26 



302 PERIOD XV. — 1845— 1849. — POLK. 

dred shot and shells were thrown bj the American batteries, 
weighing, in the aggregate, more than four hundred thousand 
pounds ! " No power of language," says a writer, " can portray 
the sufferings, agony, despair, and helpless misery, which the 
inhabitants of Vera Cruz endured for five days and nights, 
previous to the cessation of hostilities." The number of killed 
and wounded can never be ascertained. 

XV. Battle of Cerro Gordo. — 1. Leaving a garrison at 
Vera Cruz, General Scott commenced his march towards the capi- 
tal, by way of Jalapa, on the 8th of April ; and, in a few days, 
the American army reached a mountain-pass called Cerro Gordo, 
some sixty miles from Vera Cruz. Here Santa Anna had 
strongly intrenched himself, having fortified several mountain 
ridges. His force amounted to twelve thousand, while the 
American troops did not exceed eight thousand five hundred. 

2. Finding a front attack of these fortified heights impracti- 
cable, General Scott took advantage of a new road, which was dis- 
covered and cut by his troops, and by which he was able to reach 
the rear of the enemy's camp. On the 17th of April, General 
Scott issued his general order for the operations of the following 
day. That day arrived, and his plans were carried out. One 
height after another was taken, until the whole were in posses- 
sion of the Americans. More than a thousand Mexicans fell, 
and three thousand were made prisoners, among whom were four 
generals. 

3. Notwithstanding the boast of Santa Anna, previous to the 
battle, that he would die in the contest, rather than " the Ameri- 
cans should proudly tread the imperial capital of Azteca,"*he fled 
on a mule taken from his carriage, which was left behind, as was 
also his cork limb, his leg having been lost in a battle some years 
before. 

XVI. Proqress of the Army. — 1. Following the battle of 
Cerro Gordo, the army resumed its march. Jalapa was surren- 
dered, without resistance; as was also the fortress of Perote, sonic 
fifty miles distant from Jalapa, and which, next to the castle at 
Vera Cruz, was considered the strongest in Mexico. Here large 
military stores fell into possession of the Americans. 

2. Next, an advance was made upon Y lebla, a walled and 
fortified city of some seventy or eighty thousand inhabitants, who 
received the invaders without resistance. In this city General 
Scott rested his army, while Santa Anna proceeded towards tha 
capital. 

XVII. Contreras — Churubusco. — 1. On the 7th of Au« 
gust, General Scott resumed his march towards the metropolis 



N<?6 




CONTRER AS — CHURUBUSCO. 303 

His accompanying force amounted to ten thousand seven hundred 
and twenty-eight men ; three thousand were left in the hospital, 
and as a garrison, under Colonel Childs. 

2. On the 3d day after leaving Puebla, the army reached 
the summit of the Cordilleras, when the grand valley of Mexico 
burst upon their gaze in all its glory. Lakes, plains, cities and 
cloud-capped mountains, spreading around and beneath, rendered 
the prospect enchanting. " Far to the left was descried the 
giant peak of Popocatapetl ; before them lay the Lake Tezcuco ; 
and beyond, the domes and towers of the Montezumas." 

3. On the 11th, the advance, under command of General 
Twiggs, reached Ayotla, north of Lake Chalco, fifteen miles from 
the capital. Between this and the city, by the Vera Cruz road, 
was a strong fortification, called El Pefion, eight miles from 
Mexico, and which was deemed imDregnable. Taking advantage 
of a concealed road, this fortification was avoided, and the army 
at length encamped at St. Augustine, on the Acapulco road. 
Between this point and the city was the fortress of Antonia, 
and a mile and a half further north, the strongly fortified hill 
of Churubusco. In the neighborhood of the encampment was 
Contreras, which was occupied by General Valencia with six 
thousand Mexican troops, and defended by twenty-two heavy 
guns. A little past midnight, on the morning of the 20th, a 
portion of the American army, four thousand five hundred, 
engaged the Mexican force. 

4. The contest was brief, but the Americans were the victors. 
Three thousand prisoners were taken, and more than thirty 
pieces of artillery, of which two were brass six-pounders which 
the Mexicans had taken at the battle of Buena Vista. 

5. The victory of Contreras was followed, the same day, by 
other brilliant achievements, — the forcing of San Antonia, the 
capture of the enemy's citadel, the battle of Churubusco, a ham- 
let bearing this name, and a second engagement in its rear. 

6. All these defences were successively carried, notwithstand- 
ing that the Mexicans fought with a bravery and determination 
proportioned to the magnitude of their cause. In these several 
battles, thirty-two thousand Mexicans had been engaged and 
defeated. Three thousand prisoners, including eight generals, 
had been taken, and two hundred and five other officers. Four 
thousand of all ranks had been killed or wounded, and thirty- 
Eeven field-pieces had been captured. The loss of the Americana 
was one thousand and fifty-three in killed and wounded. Of 
the killed, sixteen were officers ; and of the wounded, sixty. 

XVIII. Attempts at Peace. — 1. The victories thus achieved 



80-1 PERIOD XV. — 1845—1849. — POLK. 

presented an easy access to the capital, which might have been 
ooenpied the same evening; but, at this point, General Scott 
decided to halt, for the purpose of effecting a peace, if practicable, 
before entering the imperial city. Some time previously, the 
president had commissioned Nicholas P. Trist, Esq., to proceed 
to Mexico, and negotiate a treaty with the Mexican government, 
if practicable. The present was considered a favorable time for 
the accomplishment of that object; and, with this view, an 
armistice was agreed upon. 

2. These negotiations, however, failed; and, as the terms 
of the armistice had been repeatedly violated, General Scott 
entered upon a more spirited prosecution of the war. And the 
first object was an attack upon a fortified building of stone, called 
El Molinos del Roy, or the King's Mills. This was situated about 
a mile from Tacubaya, the head-quarters of General Scott, from 
which, nine miles distant, Mexico was in full view. 

3. The battle of Molinos del Rey occurred on the 8th of 
September, and a melancholy victory was then won. Santa 
Anna commanded in person, at the head of fourteen thousand 
men, — five times the number of the assailing party. Ono 
brigade lost its three senior officers, — Colonel Mcintosh and 
Major White, wounded, and Colonel Martin Scott killed. 

XIX. Reduction of Chepultepec. — 1. One further object 
only remained to be secured, in order to an easy access to the 
capital, — the reduction of Chepultepec. This is a natural and 
isolated mound, of great elevation ; and was strongly fortified at 
its base, and on its acclivities and heights. Here was the mili- 
tary school of Mexico. 

2. On the night of the 11th of September, General Scott 
erected four heavy batteries, bearing on the fortress. On the 
morning of the 12th, the bombardment was commenced, and con- 
tinued on the 13th. The Mexicans resisted with stubborn 
obstinacy, and yielded, at length, only from dire necessity. The 
officer who had the honor of striking the Mexican flag from the 
walls, and planting the American standard, was Major, after- 
wards Colonel Seymour, of the New England regiment, soon 
after he had succeeded the gallant Colonel Ransom, who fell 
while leading his troops up the heights of Chepultepec. Thus 
the fate of this fortress was sealed, and access to the city opened 
to the American army. 

XX. Occupation of Mexico. — 1. The day following the 
fall of Chepultepec, September 14th, the American army realized 
the object of their long and eventful march, — the occupation of 
the capital of the Mexican empire. 



OCCUPATION OF MEXICO. 305 

2. As early as four o'clock of the 14th, a deputation from 
tno city council waited upon General Scott, demanding terms 
of capitulation in favor of the church, the citizens, and the muni- 
cipal authority. These demands were promptly met and denied. 
Generals Worth and Quitman were directed to move forward, — 
the one to the Alameda, and the other to the Grand Plaza, where 
were now reared, above the national palace of Mexico, the stars 
and stripes of the American republic. Soon after, the command- 
er-in-chief made his grand entrance, with a suitable escort of 
cavalry. He was welcomed on the Plaza by the victorious army ; 
and here, with his companions in arms, took formal possession of 
the now conquered city of the Aztecs. On the 10th, the army 
was directed to oifer public and private thanks to God for victory. 
On the 19th, martial law was proclaimed, in consequence of dis- 
turbances occasioned by two thousand convicts, liberated by the 
flying government, the night before. 

XXI. Treaty. — 1. The occupation of Mexico by the Ameri- 
can army may be considered as essentially terminating the war. 
A few other engagements occurred, as at Huamantla and Atlixco, 
— the desperate efforts of Santa Anna to retrieve his waning 
fortunes, — but it was all in vain. The proud city of the Aztecs 
was in possession of the Americans. The Mexican empire was 
subjugated. 

2. To the Mexicans this event was most humiliating. It 
crushed their hopes, and paralyzed their efforts, leaving them no 
rational prospect of longer successfully continuing the struggle. 
They were prepared, therefore, to treat with Mr. Trist, who, on 
the 2d of February, 18-18, signed, with the Mexican commission- 
ers, the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This treaty, twenty days 
after, was adopted, with alterations, by the President and Senate. 
On the 4th of July, these alterations having been confirmed by 
the Mexican government, the president, by his proclamation, 
announced the treaty as in full forced 

* Antecedently to the signing of this treaty by Mr. Trist and the Mexican 
commissioners, the powers of the former had been revoked by the American 
executive. Notwithstanding this revocation, and his recall, Mr. Trist pre- 
sumed to. act in the existing emergency, and had the approbation of General 
Scott. As the treaty had undergone important modifications by the Ameri- 
can government, President Polk appointed Mr. Sevier, of the Senate, and 
Mr. Clifford, Attox-ney General, to proceed to Queretaro, the seat of the 
Mexican Congress, to explain the modifications made, and to procure tho 
ratification, in which they were successful. 

The most important stipulations of this treaty were the following: — 1st. 
That the American armies should evacuate Mexico within three months. 
2d. That, for territory gained, the American government should pay to 
Mexico three millions of dollars in hand, and twelve millions in four annual 

26* 



306 PERIOD XV. — 1845— 1849. — POLK. 

XXII. Death of Mr. Adams. — On the 23d of February, 
1848, John Quincy Adams, a former President of the United 
States, greatly distinguished for his learning, philanthropy, and 
patriotism, expired, at Washington, at the advanced age of 
eighty-one years, while attending to his duties in the national 
legislature, of which he was a member. Mr. Adams was sud- 
denly struck by a fatal paralysis, during the debates in the 
House of Representatives. He was removed to the speaker's 
room, where, on the 23d, he expired, uttering, shortly before his 
death, in the presence of relatives and several congressional asso- 
ciates, the brief but impressive sentence, " This is the last of 
earth ! " He had long been characterized as " the old man elo- 
quent." For more than sixty years he had been employed in 
the service of his country ; and in the various important stations 
which he had filled, whether at home or abroad, he had honored 
himself and honored his country. 

XXIII. Admission of Wisconsin. — Wisconsin derives its 
name from the river of that name, which flows through the ter- 
ritory. On the 29th of May, 1848, it was admitted into the 
Union, as an independent state. 

XXIV. Election of General Taylor. — Mr. Polk was not 
a candidate for reelection. Towards the close of his term, the 
Democratic party proposed Lewis Cass, of Michigan, as their 
candidate for the presidency ; but a majority of electors were in 
favor of Zachary Taylor, of Louisiana, the " Hero of Buena Vista." 
Millard Fillmore, of New York, was elected vice-president. 

instalments, besides assuming her debts to American citizens to the amount 
of three millions and a half more. 3d. That the limits, as relate to Mexico, 
should begin at the mouth of the Rio Grande, thence to proceed along the 
deepest channel of that river, to the southern boundary of New Mexico ; 
thence they should follow the river Gila to the river Colorado ; thenoa 
straight to the Pacific, at a point ten miles south of San Diego. 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD XVI. 

ZACHARY TAYLOR, President. 
Inaugurated March 5th, 1849; died July 9th, same year. 
MILLARD FILLMORE, Vice-president. 

HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS. 

John M. Clayton, Delaware, March 6, 1849, Secretary of State. 

William M. Meredith, Penn., March 6, 1849, Sec'y of the Treasury. 

Thomas Ewing, Ohio, March 6, 1849, Sec'y of Home Depar't.* 

George W. Crawford, Georgia, March 6, 1849, Secretary of War. 

William B. Preston, Virginia, March 6, 1849, Secretary of the Navy. 

Jacob Collamer, Vermont, March 6, 1849, Postmaster General. 

Reverdy Johnson, Maryland, March 6, 1849, Attorney General. 

* A new office, embracing certain portions of business heretofore transacted in th« 
departments of state, treasury, &c. 

SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 

Howell Cobb, Georgia, Thirty-first Congress, 1849. 
Linn Boyd, Kentucky, Thirty-second do. 1851. 

The inaugural address of General Taylor, like all his official 
communications to government while in the field, was brief, — 
shorter than any similar address, by any other president, except 
Mr. Madison's. To a majority of the people it proved quite 
satisfactory, and even in England was pronounced an eloquent 
production. Previous to his election, General Taylor had de- 
clined all pledges, excepting the assurance to the nation that he 
would never be the president of a party ; but, if elected, would 
endeavor to bring back the government to the spirit of the con- 
stitution, as understood and administered by Washington. Other 
pledges than this he now declined, standing, as he did, before 
God and the nation ; but this pledge he was ready to renew. 
" In the discharge of these duties," said he, " my guide will be 
the Constitution, which I this day swear to prest rve, protect, 
and defend." Few measures or events of national importance 
signalized the brief administration of General Taylor. The 
death of two eminent civilians preceded his own. 

I. Death op Mr. Polk. — This late incumbent of the presi- 



a08 PERIOD XVI. — IS 19— 1853. — TAYLOR. 

dcntial chair died, at his residence, in Nashville, Tennessee, on 
the 15th of June, 1849. He was a native of Mecklenburg 
county, North Carolina, where he "was born, on the 2d of 
November, 1795. His lather was an enterprising tanner. At 
the early age of thirty. Mr, 1'olk became a member of Congress. 
He Mas a warm supporter of Mr. Jefferson, and, through lite, a 
firm and imdeviating Democrat. He was cut off just at tho 
close of an administration replete with toil and anxiety, and 
when he was naturally looking forward to the enjoyment of 
repose, in the bosom of his family. 

II. Death of Mr. Calhoun. — The death of this distinguished 
Statesman occurred at Washington, on the 31st of March, 1850, 
while a senator in Congress from South Carolina. There are 
few whose names have been more intimately connected with 
the political history of the country than Mr. Calhoun. His 
career of public service extended over nearly half a century, — 
an eventful period, during which he exerted a powerful influ* 
ence over the policy of the nation. He entered Congress pre- 
vious to the last war with Great Britain, as representative from 
South Carolina; since which time, he had been almost uninter- 
ruptedly connected with public affairs and measures, having suc- 
cessively tilled the offices of representative, senator, secretary o*" 
war, vice-president, and secretary of state, — the duties of which 
offices he performed with ability and stern integrity. The high- 
est honors were paid to his memory. 

III. Death of General Taylor. — 1, On the 9th of July, the 
death of this distinguished individual — able and brave as a soldier, 
upright and honorable as a statesman and a man — occurred in 
the national mansion, at Washington, — the result of exposure 
and fatigue, on the day of our national independence. He met 
death with the calmness and fortitude of the Christian, uttering, 
as his last words, — "I am prepared to meet death. I have 
always endeavored to do my duty. I am sorry to leave my 
friends." 

'2. The news of the death of President Taylor was known, 
thousands of miles from the seat of government, within a few 
hours of its occurrence, wherever the wires of the magnetic tele- 
graph extended ; and the national bereavement was received with 
Borrow, and every manifestation of regret, by people of all politi- 
cal parties. One of the latest acts of his administration was 
signing a treaty with Great Britain, called the Nicaragua 
Treaty, designed to secure the constructing of a canal from the 
Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, open, with certain stipulations, to 
all nations. 

3. On the following day, Mr. Fillmore assumed the duties of 
president, as provided by the constitution. 



FILLMORE PRESIDENT. 309 

MILLARD FILLMORE, P B E s i D k h t . 

Assumed the government July 10th, 1850 ; retired March 3d, 1853. 

BEADS OF THE LHJ'A liT.M K.VTS. 

Daniel Webster, Ma July 15, 1850, ) H , ;Cn;Uri(; , of Htlite> 

Edward Everett, Mass., 1852,) 

Thomas Corwin, Ohio, Jul 15,1850, Seo'y of Treasury. 

Alexander Ji. Jl. Stuart, Virginia, 1850, Hec'y of the Interior. 

Charles M. Conrad, Louisiana, >, Sed'y of War. 

William A. Qraham, N.Carolina, July 15, 1850, ) ^^ of Xa 

John P. Kennedy, Maryland, 1852, $ 

John J. Crittenden, Kentucky, July 15,1850, Attorney General. 

Nathan K. Hall, New York July 15, 1850, J Po8tmagtersGeneral . 

hamuel L». Hubbard, Connecticut, J - 552, > 

It is an admirable feature of the Constitution of the United 
States, that it provides, in case of the death of a president, for 
the ready and quiet transfer of all his powers to the vice-presi- 
dent, as his constitutional successor; and a most interesting 
hour was that when, on the day following the death of General 
Taylor, and while his remains were still reposing in the nation;: 1 
mansion, -Mr. Fillmore took the oath of the presidential office, 
in the presence of both houses of Congress. It was a service 
which occupied but a brief space ; but, in that short time, a 
transfer of all executive power was quietly effected, and the 
machinery of government was again moving with its accustomed 
regularity and harmonious action. 

The measures and events which signalized the administration 
of Mr. Fillmore were the following, namely : 



Invasion of Cuba. 
Death of Mr. Webster. 
lential Canvass. 



The Compromise Bill. 
Death of Henry Clay. 
The Lobos Island Contro- 
versy. 

1. Compromise Bill. — 1. This maybe considered as the 
prominent measure of 3Ir. Fillmore's administration. It was 
introduced into Congress by 3Ir. Clay, and was designed as an 
amicable arrangement of all questions between the free and 
slave states growing out of the institution of slavery. 

2. These questions were five : 1. Whether California should 
be admitted into the Union, as she v, ' ihed to be, as a free state. 

2. Whether territorial governments should in future be estab- 
lished with or without provisos for the introduction of slavery. 

3. What should constitute the western boundary of Texas. 

4. Whether the slave-trade should be abolished in the District 



310 PERIOD XVI. — 1S50— 1853. — FILLMORE. 

of Columbia. 5. Whether owners shall have the right to recover 
fugitive slaves by force ot^ law. 

3. For months before the death of General Taylor the dis- 
cussion of these questions in Congress had given birth to excit- 
ing and even angry debate between members from the northern 
and southern sections of the Union. The former, being gener- 
ally opposed to slavery, were also opposed to all measures 
designed to foster and extend it. The latter, on the contrary, 
were anxious to perpetuate it, and enlarge its area. The people 
of the United States themselves were similarly divided on the 
subject, according as they inhabited free or slave states. 

4. The death of General Taylor, and the funeral obsequies 
consequent thereupon, suspended, for a brief time, all other 
proceedings of the national council. But scarcely had the 
grave closed over his remains, ere the same heated contest was 
renewed. At length the whole subject was referred to a com- 
mittee of thirteen, who authorized 3Ir. Clay to introduce the 
compromise, or union bill, as it was called. This was now 
debated and ameuded for weeks and months ; but at length, 
with the exception of a single item of the bill, that establishing 
a government for Utah, the whole was rejected, and without 
the prospect, for a time, of any adequate substitute. 

5. It was apparent, however, that the country was in a criti- 
cal state. A spirit of anarchy and discord was extending its 
influence to the nation at large. Something, therefore, was 
necessary to be done ere Congress adjourned. This the mem- 
bers admitted, and this the people demanded. 

G. Accordingly, distinct bills were introduced, and at length 
passed, which, in a combined form, had been lost. These were: 
1. A bill for the admission of California as a free state. 2. A 
bill making proposals to Texas for the settlement of her western 
boundary, the United States paying her ten millions of dollars, 
and she relinquishing all claim beyond the boundaries pre- 
scribed, o. A territorial government for New Mexico, exclud- 
ing slavery. 4. A bill to facilitate the recovery of fugitive 
slaves. 5. A bill abolishing the slave-trade in the District of 
Columbia. 

7. The bills thus passed were understood to be a compromise, 
and were essentially the same as had been embodied in Mr. 
Clay's compromise bill. Upon the passage of these measures 
Congress finished, Sept. 30th, its stormy session of ten months 
— a longer session than any other since the adoption of the 
federal constitution. 

II. Deatii of IIt^ey Ciay. — 1. The death of this emi« 



DEATH OF HENRY CLAY. 311 

cent statesman and eloquent orator occurred at "Washington, 
D. C, while a member of the Senate, on the 29th of June, 
1852, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. He was a native 
of Virginia, and the son of llev John Clay, a Baptist clergy- 
man. His father died when he was five years old. ifis mother 
was a most excellent woman, but unable to give him a liberal 
education. Having studied law under the distinguished Chan- 
cellor Wythe, he removed to Kentucky, which became his 
adopted state. 

2. Mr. Clay soon became distinguished among the eminent 
men of that state. He was honored with various public offices, 
being successively a member of the State Legislature, member 
of Congress, of which he was often speaker, United States 
►Senator, and Commissioner to negotiate a treaty of peace with 
Great Britain. Under Mr. Adams he was Secretary of State. 
On several occasions he was a candidate for the presidency of 
the United States, but failed to reach that exalted station. 

8. While a member of Congress, Mr. Clay signalized him- 
self as the advocate of protection of home industry, national 
internal improvement, the recognition of South American and 
Greek independence, &c. ; and his eloquence, on several occa- 
sions, when these great subjects were under discussion, was, per- 
haps, never surpassed. In his effort to effect a compromise of 
the questions growing out of slavery during the long and 
memorable session of Congress, 1851, Mr. Clay's constitution 
received a shock from which he never recovered. 

4. On the opening of the session in 1852, he indeed took 
his seat, but was soon obliged to keep his room : and, after 
some months of wasting consumption, he finished his course, 
expressing his hope of eternal life through a Redeemer. For 
several years he had been a member of the Episcopal Church. 
His remains, in charge of a committee of Congress, were con- 
veyed to Lexington, Kentucky, and deposited in his family 
tomb at Ashland. 

5. In his person Mr. Clay was tall, slender, and commanding. 
His temperament was ardent, fearless, and full of hope. Hi=i 
countenance was clear, expressive, and variable. His voice fell 
upon the ear like the melody of music ; while his gestures and 
attitudes were most natural and graceful. His reasoning was 
often profound, while his illustrations were beautiful and strik- 
ing. In the quickness of his perceptions and the rapidity of 
his conclusions he had few equals, perhaps no superiors. 

6. When such a man leaves this world, it is delightful to 
know that he departs feeling that he has an important connec* 



312 PERIOD XVI —1850— 1853.— FILLMORE. 

tion with an eternity to come; that, as a moral and accountabb 
being, he is responsible to God; and that, as a sinner, the basis 
of his hope is the cross of Jesus Christ. In early life Mr. Clay 
was a duellist ; but in after years it is believed he held the 
practice in just abhorrence. 

7. Happy the era in the history of our country, if that era 
shall ever arrive, when those who bear its highest honors shall 
consider their chief glory to lie, not in those honors, but in the 
higher honor of a humble walk with God. 

III. Lobos Island Controversy. — 1. TheLobos Islands, as 
they are called, are situated in the Pacific Ocean, some thirty 
miles from the continent. They are uninhabited and uninhab- 
itable, but are of great value on account of large quantities of 
guano which they have recently been found to contain. 

2. To these islands the republic of Peru laid claim, which 
claim, however, Mr. Webster, in an elaborate argument, 
attempted to show was unfounded ; chiefly because they had 
never been enumerated among the possessions or dependencies 
of the South American states. Under this impression, Amer- 
ican citizens, who were designing to despatch vessels to these 
islands for guano, were assured of protection. 

8. Further investigation, however, showed that, in fact, the 
islands belonged to Peru ; and a full acknowledgment -to that 
effect was made to the Peruvian government at a subsequent 
date, which was met by the latter in a manner most friendly 
and satisfactory. 

IV. Invasion of Cuba. — 1. Early in the spring of 1850 
an expedition for the secret purpose of invading Cuba left New 
Orleans, under command of Col. Lopez. It consisted of three 
hundred men, chiefly old Mexican soldiers. The invaders 
effected a landing on the island, but were repulsed, and a por- 
tion of them were captured. With a few followers, Lopes 
made his escape to the United States. He was arrested in 
New Orleans, and held for trial, but escaped condemnation. 
At a subsequent day, those who had been taken by the Cuban 
authorities were released. 

2. Not satisfied with the foregoing unsuccessful attempt to 
take Cuba, Lopez, with a force of about five hundred and 
eighty, made a second descent upon the island in August, 1852. 
They effected a landing without opposition. Leaving Col. Crit- 
tenden, with one hundred men, iu charge of the stores, Lopez 
himself, with the remainder of his command, proceeded into the 
interior, expecting to be joined by the inhabitants. But iu this 
he was disappointed. 



DEATH OF DANIEL WEBSTER. 313 

3. The following day, Col. Crittenden and his force, being 
compelled to retreat, were captured and shot at Havana. Be- 
fore their execution, they were permitted to write home to their 
friends, and in their letters stated that they had been grossly 
deceived, not an inhabitant of the island desiring, as they could 
learn, the overthrow of the Spanish government. 

4. Not long after, Lopez himself, with a few of his followers, 
was captured, and, by a night march, was conveyed to Havana. 
His execution took place at seven o'clock on the morning of the 
21st of August. He perished by the garrote vil,* an instru- 
ment in common use among the Spaniards. Lopez behaved 
like a brave man, walking to the steps of the scaffold as coolly 
as if he were at the head of his troops. 

5. The news of the execution of Col. Crittenden and his men 
produced an intense excitement throughout America, especially 
in the southern states. In New Orleans a mob destroyed the 
office of a Spanish newspaper, and even sacked the house of the 
Spanish consul. Subsequently indemnity for these losses and 
outrages was made by order of Congress. 

6. We have only to add that about one hundred and fifty of the 
followers of Lopez were transported to Spain, but were after- 
wards generously pardoned by her majesty the Queen of Spain, 
and returned to the United States at the expense of the Amer- 
ican government. 

V. Death of Daniel Webster. — 1. Among the signal 
events of Mr. Fillmore's administration was the death of Mr. 
Webster, the greatest man, intellectually, that America has 
produced, her most chaste and cogent orator, and one of her 
most accomplished and thoroughly qualified statesmen. 

2. Mr. Webster was a native of Hillsborough (now Salis- 
bury), New Hampshire, where he was born on the 18th of Jan- 
uary, 1782. His father was, for several years, a member of 
the Legislature of New Hampshire, and died while discharging 
the duty of judge of the Court of Common Pleas. By his 
mother, who was an excellent woman, he was first taught the 

* The garrote consists of an iron chair, with a back, upon which, at a 
point even with the head of the person sitting in it, is the instrurnen* r ;f 
death. This consists of iron clasps made to fit the sides of the head, and 
a clasp to pass round the throat. From behind is a long iron bar 
attached to a screw, which, put in motion by the executioner giving it a 
single turn, draws the throat and side pieces tight, and at the same tima 
sends an iron rod into the spinal marrow at the neck from behind, caus- 
ing instantaneous death. 



314 PERIOD XVI. — 1850— 1853.— FILLMORE. 

letters of the alphabet, and from her lips received the vital 
truths of the Bible. 

3. Mr. Webster's advantages for early education were ex- 
ceedingly slender. In summer he worked on the farm, and 
went to school only in winter. This school was three miles 
from his father's residence, and his path thither was often 
through deep snows. His first instructors were Thomas Chase 
and James Tappan, the latter of whom died as late as in 1852. 
At the age of fourteen years young Webster spent a few 
months at Phillips' Academy, Exeter, then under the care of 
Dr. Benjamin Abbot; and he entered Dartmouth College at the 
age of fifteen, and graduated in 1801. 

4. After leaving college, having devoted himself, for a time, to 
teaching an academy, he betook himself to the study of law, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1805. After practising a short 
time at Boscawen, N. II., and for nine years at Portsmouth, in 
August, 1816, he removed to Boston. Here he soon rose to 
great eminence in his profession, often coming in contact with 
such men as Dexter, Prescott, Otis, Sullivan, Shaw, Gorham, 
and Hubbard. 

5. We shall not follow Mr. Webster through the various 
stations which he occupied in public life. He was long a 
member of the Senate of the United States ; under Gen. Har- 
rison he became Secretary of State; and by Mr. Fillmore, 
on his accession to the presidency, he was invited to the same 
station ; an office which he continued to hold till his death. 
In 1836, and in 1848, and, for a third time, in 1852, his namo 
was mentioned in connection with the presidency of the United 
States. But in all these instances he failed to receive any 
large number of votes. 

6. In the summer of 1852 Mr. Webster, requiring relaxa- 
tion and repose, left Washington for his country residence at 
Marshfield, Mass. Soon after his arrival, he was severely 
injured by being thrown from his carriage. From the effect of 
this fall he never recovered, but continued to decline till the 
morning of the Sabbath, October 24th, when he expired. 
He bade his family and friends an affectionate farewell, and 
commenced himself and them to the mercy of God. " Heavenly 
v . t ner," said he, " forgive my sins, and welcome me to thyself 
through Jesus Christ." 

7. Mr. Webster's published speeches and state papers fill 
several volumes. These volumes are monuments of his genius 
of which his countrymen may well be proud. His defence of 
Dartmouth College, his replies to Haync, — perhaps the great 



PRESIDENTIAL CANVASS. 31 D 

est intellectual achievement of his life, — his Plymouth Rock 
and Bunker Hill orations, and his letter to Hulsemann, will live 
and be admired while our language is spoken. 

VI. — Presidential Canvass. — 1. In June, 1852, the Whig 
National Convention, which met at Baltimore, selected Gen. 
Scott as their candidate for the presidency, and Hon. William 
A. Graham, of North Carolina, for the vice-presidency. 
During the same month a Democratic National Convention 
met at Baltimore, and selected Gen. Franklin Pierce, of New 
Hampshire, as their candidate for the presidency, and Hon. 
Wm. R. King, of Alabama, for the vice-presidency. 

2. During the canvass which succeeded in November the 
respective candidates were supported by their political friends 
with a strife and zeal unusual on such occasions. A majority 
of the electors, according to the official count in the presence 
of both houses of Congress, were found to have given their votes 
for Gen. Pierce and Mr. King, who, thereupon, were declared 
president and vice-president for four years from the ensuing 
4th of March. 

3. In respect to Mr. Fillmore, who then retired, it is due to 
say that, notwithstanding at the time he assumed the govern- 
ment sectional jealousies on questions of great magnitude had 
become deeply excited, and threats of secession and disunion 
were uttered by men whose patriotism none could doubt, the 
country continued to enjoy great prosperity during his entire 
administration. He won the respect and confidence of political 
opponents, and the admiration and affection of political friends 



A RETROSPECTIVE VIEW 

OP THE 

GENERAL PROGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES* 

DURING THE LAST HALF-CENTURY.* 



1. States. — 1. Thirteen colonies existed at the commence- 
ment of the Revolutionary struggle, all of which contributed to 
achieve the independence of America. These became independ- 
ent states, and severally adopted the federal constitution, in the 
order indicated at page 216. 

2. Three states were admitted during the administration of 
Washington, namely : 

Vermont, March 4, 1791. Kentucky, June 1, 1792. 
Tennessee, June 1, 1796. 

3. Fifteen states have been admitted during the present 
century, namely : 



Ohio, 

Louisiana, 

Indiana, 

Mississippi; 

Illinois, 

Alabama, 

Maine, 

Missouri, 



Nov. 

Apr. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

March 

Aug. 



29, 1802. 

30, 1811. 
11, 1816. 
10, 1817. 

3, 1818. 
14, 1819. 
16, 1820. 
10, 1821. 



Arkansas, 

Michigan, 

Florida, 

Iowa, 

Texas, 

Wisconsin, 

California, 



June 15, 1836. 
June 15, 1836. 
May 3, 1845. 
Dec. 28, 1846. 
Dec. 29, 1846. 
May 29, 1848. 
Sept. 7, 1850. 



4. To the thirty-one states now forming the Federal Union, 
may be added five territories : Minesota (organized in 1849). 
lying east of the Rocky Mountains ; Oregon (organized Au- 
gust 2 — 13, 1848), west of the Mountains; New Mexico 
and Utah (organized in September, 1850), and the District 
of Columbia. 



* The author has derived essential aid, in the preparation of portions of thia 
"Retrospective View," from two works recently published, namely: "The 
Half-century," by Rev. Dr. Davis, and " Christian Retrospect and- Regis- 
tor/' by Rev Dr. Baird. 



PROGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. 317 

5. The limits of the country, in 1800, were : The British Pos- 
sessions, on the north ; the province of New Brunswick and the 
Atlantic, on the east ; the Floridas and Louisiana, on the south ; 
and the Mississippi, on the west. At the present time, the west- 
ern boundary is the Pacific Ocean, and the southern the Gulf 
of Mexico. Then, the superficial area was one million of square 
miles ; now, three millions and a quarter, — equal, within four 
hundred thousand square miles, to the entire continent of Eu- 
rope ; and, in point of extent, second only to the great Russian 
empire. It has been computed that ninety such islands as that 
of England might be put within the territory of the United 
States, and still leave a good ship-channel between each island. 

6. Since the commencement of the present century, there havo 
been added to the United States that vast tract of territory formerly 
known as Louisiana, purchased of France for fifteen millions 
of dollars (p. 232) ; Florida, purchased of Spain for five mil- 
lions of dollars (p. 263) ; Texas, which had achieved her inde- 
pendence of Mexico (p. 289) ; and New Mexico and Upper 
California, ceded by Mexico to the United States, at the close 
of their war with that power, for fifteen millions of dollars 
(p. 305). 

II. Government. — The government under the constitution 
has existed since 1798. There have been thirty-two Congresses, 
each elected for two years. Since 1800, Congress has held 
twelve extra sessions : three during the administration of Mr. 
Jefferson ; five during that of Mr. Madison ; two during that 
of Mr. Monroe ; one during that of Mr. Van Buren ; and one 
during that of Mr. Tyler. 

III. Presidents. — There have been thirteen presidents, ten 
of whom have died. 







Born. 




. Died. 


Aged. 


George Washington, 


Feb. 


22, 


1732. 


Dec. 14, 


1799. 


68. 


John Adams, 


Oct. 


19, 


1735. 


July 4, 


1826. 


91. 


Thomas Jefferson, 


Apr. 


2, 


1743. 


July 4, 


1826. 


83. 


James Madison, 


Mar. 


5, 


1751. 


June 28, 


1836. 


79. 


James Monroe, 


Apr. 


2, 


1759. 


July 4, 


1831. 


73. 


William H. Harrison, 


Feb. 


9, 


1772. 


Apr. 4, 


1841. 


68. 


Andrew Jackson, 


Mar. 


15, 


1767. 


June 8, 


1845. 


78. 


John Quincy Adams, 


July 


11, 


1767. 


Feb. 23, 


1848. 


81. 


James K. Polk, 


Nov. 


2, 


1795. 


June 15, 


1849. 


54, 


Zachary Taylor, 


Nov. 


24, 


1784. 


July 9, 


1850. 


66, 


Martin Van Buren, 


Dec. 


5, 


1782. 








John Tyler, 


Mar. 


29, 


1790. 








Millard Fillmore, 


Jan. 


7, 


1800. 








27* 















318 RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE 

IV. Population. — 1. By the census of 1800, the popula- 
tion of the United States was, in round numbers, five millions 
three hundred thousand; by the census of 1850, it exceeds 
twenty-three millions, or more than quadruple what it was in 
1800. 

2. The aborigines within the United States are supposed to be 
between four and five hundred thousand. Most of those who 
formerly resided in the States of Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, 
Georgia, and Tennessee, have been removed to lands west of the 
States of Arkansas and Missouri. They have organized govern- 
ments of their own ; schools, academies, churches, &c. 

3. The immigration into the United States, from other coun- 
tries, has been very great. From 1820 to 1840, about one 
million ; from 1840 to 1850, more than one million and a half. 

V. Personal Appearance. — 1. The inhabitants of the Unit- 
ed States bear a strong resemblance to the inhabitants of tho 
countries whence they originated. Time, however, has effected 
some changes, as have different climates and different modes 
of living. In New England, the English blood greatly predom- 
inates. The people here have, generally, fair complexions. 
They are also robust, and capable of enduring great hardships 
and fatigue. They are somewhat taller, and more slender in 
form, than the inhabitants of Great Britain. 

2. In the Middle and Western States, those who partake of 
English blood have a similar appearance. But there is a far 
greater mixture of races there than in New England. People 
of Dutch and German descent constitute no small part of the 
Middle States, particularly in New York and Pennsylvania. 
These, in person, strongly resemble the nations from which they 
have descended. This is true, also, of the Irish population, of 
whom great numbers have emigrated, within the last half-century, 
to these shores, and are scattered over all New England, and west 
of it. There are, also, numbers of French, Swiss, and Swedes, 
with their characteristic differences of personal appearance. 

3. The citizens of the southern portion of the country who 
are of English descent — and these constitute a very large propor- 
tion — show the effects of a warmer climate, in the sallow com- 
plexion by which they are distinguished. The negro popula- 
tion, throughout the entire country, strongly resemble the natives 
of Africa in form, features, and complexion, with some variety 
in respect to those in whom exists a mixture of blood. 

VI. Character. — 1. Nearly the same maybe said, respect* 
ing the character of the people of the United States, as was said 
respecting their personal appearance, as a whole. They differ 



PROGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. 319 

as their ancestors did, with such modifications as time and 
peculiar circumstances have effected. They have no national 
character, as have the French, Germans, and other European 
nations. They are yet too mixed and various ; but, when years 
shall have elapsed, — perhaps centuries, — and emigration shall 
have ceased, we may have a homogeneous people, and then 
a thoroughly national character. 

2. Yet there are some general traits of character which we 
may here mention. 1. A great spirit of enterprise. 2. A 
large share of personal independence and resolution. 3. An 
enlightened and cordial attachment to liberty, civil and religious. 
4. Great inquisitiveness, and a strong capacity for mechanical 
inventions and improvement. This is more particularly true of 
the people of New England. 5. A love of general intelligence. 
6. A marked regard to the dictates of humanity. This is shown 
in our laws regarding the descent of property, provision for 
widows and orphans, the non-impressment of seamen, and the 
simplicity and mildness of our penal codes. 7. A toleration of 
all religious sects. 

3. If we look at separate divisions of the country, the above 
characteristics may, perhaps, be somewhat varied and extended. 
The enterprise of New England has long been proverbial, as have 
been her general intelligence, morality and piet: . No people 
enjoy greater means of mental culture and improv ment. None 
are more inquisitive, shrewd, calculating, or economical. If not 
ardent and sanguine, they are resolute and persevering. 

4. The morality and piety of New England have been visible 
throughout their history. With much that is wrong, doubtless, 
the people, as a whole, are known for their general sobriety and 
decorum, their veneration for sacred things, their regard for 
the Sabbath, their respect for the ministry, their devout attend- 
ance upon religious worship, and the religious care and educa- 
tion of their children. 

5. In the Middle States, there is not much that is peculiar. 
The traits of the New Englander appear, wherever New Eng- 
land has supplied the population. The people are active and 
enterprising in trade, commerce, agriculture, mechanic arts, edu- 
cation, morals and religion. The Dutch still exhibit their 
regard for economy, neatness, and a plodding industry. In 
Pennsylvania, the Friends and Germans, — in Maryland, the 
Catholics, and so far as the Irish extend, — all have their pe- 
culiar views, habits, customs, and religious forms and ceremonies. 

6. The southern people are fond of society, and cultivata 
social intercourse more than the citizens of the north, although 



320 RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE 

they live much less compactly. Their hospitality is everywhere 
celebrated : and the more freely their guest partakes of their 
bounties, the more is he welcome. They are, doubtless, more 
haughty in their bearing ; but none excel them in the courtesies 
and proprieties of life. " A planter," it has been said, " would 
be more apt to do what he would be sorry for, than what he 
would be ashamed of." 

7. The inhabitants of the Western States have few peculiari- 
ties. The people bear strong resemblances to those of New 
England and the Southern States, whence their population has 
been chiefly derived. In the northern portion, including par- 
ticularly Ohio, the New England character predominates. In 
the southern portion, the southern character, more especially 
that of Virginia, prevails. Kentucky, the leading state of the 
great western valley, was settled principally from Virginia ; 
while Ohio, the leading state in the northern section, received 
its early population from New England. The character of the 
men of the Western States may be described, therefore, as a 
compound of the New England and Virginia character. A noble 
parentage ; and most fruitful has it been in producing a genera- 
tion of men distinguished for a firmness, a love of freedom, an 
independence, a patriotism, a generosity, unknown to people 
living in greater ease, and under established institutions. 

VII. Dress. — 1. At the opening of the present century, 
the families of farmers, and, indeed, of other classes, manufac- 
tured, to a great extent, their own garments. The hand-card 
and spinning-wheel were in nearly every habitation. The good 
wife could show a large amount of yarn, every spring, ready for 
the loom ; and no young lady was thought fit to be married, 
who had not fitted herself out with a fair complement of linen 
fabrics, for the various uses of housekeeping, as well as for her 
own person. 

2. Under the reign of machinery, the family manufacture has 
been generally superseded. Clothing has been wonderfully 
cheapened. In general, the people of the United States are 
better clothed than the people of any other country. Indeed, it 
is not uncommon to see persons, — especially females, — in the 
common walks of life, and those in service, dressed in a style 
which, fifty years since, would have been considered extravagant 
in the more wealthy classes. 

3. The modes of dress do not vary greatly, in the different 
sections of the country. Those most prevalent are the French 
and English. London and Paris give law to fashion in Boston 
and New York, as well as to the inhabitants of those cities. The 



PROGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. 321 

Germans of the Middle States yet wear broad hats and purple 
breeches. In Philadelphia, "there is still the drab bonnet, and 
the drab gown and the frill, and the neckerchief and apron to 
correspond." Here and there is yet to be seen the cocked hat, 
and the white-topped boots, and the light breeches ; but they are 
worn by a race of men fast disappearing from among us, as are 
the men who once wore the capacious wig. 

VIII. Dwellings. — 1. The mode of building in the United 
States is accommodated very much to the external condition of 
the people. In all our new settlements, the first dwellings are 
log or mud houses. Elegance, proportion, taste, are not con- 
sulted. The first object is shelter; the next, comfort; and, as 
the lands are cleared up, and the settlers become more thriving, 
the huts and hovels give place to more substantial tenements. 
This, however, is the work of time. 

2. In the older portions of the country, though the houses of 
the citizens are not distinguished for beauty and elegance, many 
of them, even in the country, are neat and handsome structures 
Individual habitations there are in Une and imposing situations, 
which add to the charms of our natural scenery. These resi- 
dences of gentlemen — particularly merchants, professional men, 
head manufacturers, and wealthy farmers — are multiplying 
every day. In the vicinity of cities, they are becoming even 
numerous ; and indicate a great increase of taste, wealth and 
luxury, since the opening of the present century. 

3. The greater proportion of good dwellings in the country 
are grouped together in villages, where, with their out-houses, 
and front and garden fences, they make a neat and pretty 
appearance. Indeed, no collection of houses in any country are 
said to strike the eye with greater effect, as objects of beauty, 
than many American villages, — particularly those in New Eng- 
land and the Middle States. 

4. In general, our dwellings are composed of less substantial 
materials than are used in European countries. In New Eng- 
land, the houses, in the country villages, are chiefly of wood. In 
the Middle States, there are still ancient houses of the Flemish 
model, tiled, with gables on the street, and huge weathercocks 
on the top, as described in our notes appended to the Period of 
Settlements. In Western New York, the villages are built in 
an exceedingly neat manner. They are of wood, painted white, 
with green blinds, and often verandas, as in New England. In 
Maryland and Pennsylvania are many stone houses and barns, 
the latter often of vast size. 

5. In the Southern States the manner of building is lesa 



322 RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE 

substantial than in the Middle and Northern States. Few 
houses are of brick, and the low country is without stone. Those 
inhabited by the planters have much uniformity. They are of 
one or two stories, and have a veranda in front and chimneys at 
the end, on the outside. The residences of the wealthy are often 
in good taste, and commodious. They are generally placed at a 
considerable distance from the public roads. 

6. In the West, we occasionally see structures like those of 
the East. Some towns are built of brick ; but, except in the 
cities, there is little good architecture. The log house still 
abounds ; but this kind of habitation gradually disappears, and 
habitations more like those of New England take their place. 

7. There is yet ample room for improvement in our archi- 
tecture. We do not compare with England, France, Germany, 
in the number or architectural taste of their magnificent struc- 
tures. Among the causes for this, may be mentioned our recent 
origin, our want of means, and our republican simplicity. Still, 
our cities exhibit fine specimens of architectural beauty, both 
public and private ; and the taste for them, and the ability to 
create them, are fast increasing. 

IX. Food. — 1. The people of no country on the globe are 
better, or so well fed, as the Americans. It is emphatically a 
land of plenty. In European countries, starvation is not uncom- 
mon : in the United States, it is a rare event. 

2. With some nations the culinary art has attained to great 
perfection ; and, in the United States, a marked advance has been 
made, within a few years. The employment of European cooks 
is not uncommon. The bills of fare on the tables of many of 
our principal hotels, in New York, Boston, Baltimore, Cin- 
cinnati, — especially on great occasions, — would compare well 
with those in London, Paris, and other trans-atlantic cities. 
Our beef is said still to be inferior to the "roast beef of old 
England ; " but it is a distinction, in some cases, it is believed, 
without a difference. 

3. The Americans generally eat fast. They are too busy 
otherwise to enjoy their meals. Even the dinner, which is the 
great meal of the day, and altogether so with the English, and 
to which they give time, the Americans despatch often in a few 
minutes. Our breakfasts are much richer and more substantial 
than theirs. Our suppers are various. With some classes, it 
is a light concern : with the laboring classes, it often consists of 
the most substantial food. 

4. In New England, in the country towns, breakfast is usually 
at an early hour ; often at sunrise, or before, In a farmer 



PROGRESS OE THE UNITED STATES. 323 

family, it consists of ham, beef, sausages, pork, bread, butter, 
boiled or fried potatoes, pies, and coffee. 

5. The use of coffee in the morning, and often at night, is 
almost universal. At hotels and boarding-houses, there is often 
a greater variety of dishes. In cities, the usual bread is made 
of wheat flour ; on the other hand, in the country, until within 
a few years, the common bread was made of rye, or a mixture 
of rye and Indian corn. Wheat, however, has been 'substi- 
tuted, to a great extent, especially in manufacturing districts. 
Hasty pudding was formerly a favorite dish, and most commonly 
prepared on Saturday evening. It was eaten with milk when 
warm, and fried when cooled. The Indian pudding, also, was 
once a very favorite dish throughout New England. 

6. In the Middle States, the diet is much as in New Eng- 
land. More use, however, is made of the sweet potato, which is 
raised in New Jersey, and in states south of it. It is cooked 
variously, though it is generally preferred boiled or baked. 
Buckwheat is extensively used in the Middle States, though not 
peculiar to any one section. Hominy — coarse Indian meal — is 
much used. 

7. In the Southern States, the food differs considerably from 
what it is at the North. Garden vegetables are not extensively 
cultivated ; the Irish potato does not thrive ; the sweet potato 
abounds. Rice, generally boiled, is a substitute for vegetables, 
and even for bread. Hominy is found at all tables. Hoe-cake, 
— the johnny-cake of New England, — and ashpone, — a coarse 
cake, baked under the ashes, — are in as common use as bread. 
Ham is a general article, and often found on the table three 
times a day. In Virginia, it is commonly, in the season, accom- 
panied by greens. In Louisiana, gumbo, a compound soup, ia 
much used : in New Orleans, it is sold in the streets. 

8.. In the Western States, the two great articles of food are 
bacon and Indian corn. Fish abound in the rivers ; but they 
are coarse. Game is plenty. Rice is used : it is commonly 
boiled hard, and eaten with gravy. Coffee is very common, as 
are maple and other sugars. In the western cities and larger 
towns, however, within a few years, nearly all the varieties and 
delicacies of living are to be found which exist in any part of 
the country. The facilities for rapid transportation have so 
increased, that, in a few days, the finest fish, oysters, lobsters of 
the east, and other delicacies, can be furnished at Buffalo, Cleve< 
land, and even Cincinnati, in the greatest perfection. 

X. Means of Intercommunication. — The facilities for 
intercommunication, within the last half-eentury, are, doubtless, 



d24 retrospective view of the 

far more valuable than all others, since the commencement of 
the Christian era. In many parts of the country, so great 
has been the change, that the use of vehicles, and particularly 
riding on horseback, for the purpose of extended journeys, 
is almost unknown. Even the era of turnpikes has gone 
by. Common roads are greatly neglected. In some of the 
interior portions of the country, the stage-coach goes lumbering 
along ; but a few years hence, and even that will be as uncom- 
mon as it once was frequent. The joyous post-horn will be 
heard among the hills no more. Other modes of conveyance are 
taking the place of the old and social modes. Some of these we 
proceed to specify. 

1. Canals. — 1. Few canals existed in the United States 
prior to 1800. Their number is not destined to increase. They 
will be superseded, for travelling purposes, by railroads, which 
are not exposed to long or serious interruption, on the occur- 
rence of winter. The last half-century may, therefore, be 
regarded as the era of canals in the United States. 

2. The Erie Canal, which is three hundred and sixty-three 
miles in extent, was first opened in 1825. Except one in China, 
it is the longest in the world. It connects Hudson's river and 
Lake Erie. New York has more miles of canals than any other 
state in the Union, and they produce a larger income. The 
great promoter of this canal system in New York — though not 
the projector — was the late distinguished De Witt Clinton. It 
was, doubtless, mainly owing to his enterprise and perseverance, 
that the above great work was ultimately completed. 

3. The Ohio Canal is the next longest in the United States, 
being three hundred and nine miles long, and connects Lake Erie 
and Ohio. It was opened in 1832. Comparatively few canals 
have been constructed, since 1830. In one respect, the canal 
has the advantage of the railroad ; — heavy freight can be con- 
veyed through the interior of a country, at a less cost, though at 
less speed. Those already constructed will be likely to be 
employed, for certain descriptions of goods, in preference to rail- 
roads. 

2. Steam Navigation. — 1. Since the commencement of the 
century, a most remarkable change has taken place in the navi • 
gation of rivers, lakes, and even the ocean, by means of boats and 
packets propelled by steam. 

2. The first successful effort by this mode was a trip from 
New York to Albany, one hundred and fifty miles, in August. 
1807, in thirty-two hours, by Robert Fulton. His return was 
accomplished in thirty hours, or at the rate of five miles pel 



PROGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. 325 

hour. Fulton died in 1815, at the age of fifty. Soon after hia 
death, boats attained the speed of nine miles per hour ; now, from 
fifteen to twenty. 

3. The first steamboat that run upon the western waters 
was built at Pittsburg, in 1811. In 1817, a boat ascended 
from New Orleans to Louisville, one thousand two hundred and 
seventy-five miles, in twenty-five days. In 1827, the same 
distance was accomplished in eight days and two hours. Western 
commerce has been revolutionized. The number of boats on the 
Mississippi and its tributaries, in 1818, was twenty-three; in 
1848, one thousand three hundred. 

4. For years after the experiment had succeeded in regard to 
river steam navigation, it was still a problem whether the ocean 
could be safely navigated by the same means. The size of the 
boat, the weight of the machinery, the quantity of fuel required 
for the voyage, were thought insuperable objections ; and, in 
addition to being too hazardous, any such project, it was thought, 
would prove unprofitable. But the experiment has shown a 
widely different result. 

5. The first steam-propelled vessel that crossed the Atlantic 
was American built, and called the Savannah. She was three 
hundred and eighty tons. She sailed first to Savannah, in 1819, 
from New York, and thence directly to Liverpool, where she 
arrived after a passage of eighteen days, seven of which she used 
steam. When first seen on the other side, she was supposed to 
be a ship on fire. From Liverpool she proceeded to Copenhagen, 
and thence to St. Petersburg. On her return to Savannah, she 
was divested of her steam apparatus, and used as a packet 
between Savannah and New York. 

6. Two ocean steamers left, the one from Cork, April 
4th, 1838, and the other from Bristol, the 8th of the same 
month, for New York. These were the Sirius and the Great 
Western. Both arrived on the 23d. This event formed a new 
era in navigation. From this time, steam packets have continued 
to run between New York and Liverpool. In 1840, the British 
and North American line, commonly called the Cunard line, was 
established. Subsequently, the celebrated line between New 
York and Liverpool, usually called the Collins line, has com- 
menced running. And, still later, lines have been established 
between New York and Bremen, Havre, Chagres, and several 
other places. 

7. In 1620, the Mayflower, which brought the Piltcrim 
Fathers to the shores of New England, was sixty-five days in 
kccomplishing the voyage to Plymouth : the ocean steamers 

28 



326 RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE 

often accomplish the same voyage in a little more than ten days. 
In short, England is brought as near the United States as New 
York and Boston were, a century ago. 

3. Railroads. — 1. The first railroad ever constructed in the 
United States was one, four miles in length, for the purpose of 
conveying granite from Quincy, in Massachusetts, to navigable 
water on the Neponset river. It was finished in 1827. Horse- 
power only was employed. Steam-power was first used in 1883, 
on the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad. 

2. The average cost of the railroads in the United States is 
about thirty-two thousand dollars per mile. In England, the 
cost is far higher ; but railroads there are not as much superior 
to ours as the difference in the cost might seem to indicate. 

3. The extreme speed of the fastest trains in England is said 
to be seventy-five miles per hour: in the United States, the 
greatest speed is less than fifty. According to the experiments 
of Dr. Hutton, the velocity of a cannon-ball is three hundred 
m il es — only four times greater than the extreme speed attained 
in England, and six times greater than that attained in the 
United States. 

4. At the close of 1849, there were in operation eight thou- 
sand seven hundred and ninety-seven miles of railroad, at an 
aggregate cost of two hundred and eighty-six million five hun- 
dred thousand dollars. The number of passengers transported 
in 1850, on the various railroads, was sixty millions, or about 
one hundred and sixty thousand per day. Boston is connected 
with Ogdensburg, on the St. Lawrence, a distance of some four 
hundred miles ; and by Albany, with Lake Erie, at Buffalo, a 
distance of five hundred and twenty-five miles. New York is 
connected with Lake Erie at Dunkirk, and will soon be connected 
with Montreal, and, at no distant day, with New Orleans, by the 
way of Charleston and Savannah, or other routes. 

5. A magnificent project has, within a few years, been pro- 
posed by Mr. Whitney, a wealthy and enterprising gentleman 
of New York, for constructing a road from Lake Michigan to 
Columbia river, on the Pacific ; and, still later, a Mr. Degrand 
has proposed the plan of a railroad from St. Louis to San Fran- 
cisco, California. While these great projects are maturing, — 
one of which will, probably, in time, be accomplished, — a rail- 
road is in actual process of construction across the Isthmus from 
Chagres to the Pacific, the estimated cost of which is one million 
of dollars. 

4. Electro-Magnetic Telegraph. — 1. Prior to the inven- 
tion of the electro-magnetic telegraph, the best mode of conveying 



PROGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. 327 

intelligence by signals was the system of Colonel Paisley, of 
France, adopted in 1822. Signal stations were placed from 
three to five miles apart, each of which was visible to the two 
nearest to it. It could be used, however, only by daylight. It 
was used between Paris and Brest, a distance of three hundred 
and twenty-five miles. But the progress of communication was 
slow ; a sentence of ten words requiring a half-hour for trans- 
mission, and the employment of eighty men at the different signal 
stations. This line cost the French government annually more 
than two hundred thousand dollars. 

2. In 1832, Prof. Samuel F. B. Morse, while on a voyage 
from Europe to the United States, had his attention directed to a 
remark of Franklin ; namely, that, inasmuch as the electric fluid 
passes instantaneously upon wires of any length, it might be 
made the means of conveying information. This led to the con- 
struction of the electro-magnetic telegraph. 

3. In 1848, Congress made an appropriation of thirty thou- 
sand dollars to test the practicability of Mr. Morse's discovery. 
Posts were first set up between Washington and Baltimore, a 
distance of forty miles ; and the telegraph put in successful 
operation between those two cities. There are now (1852) more 
than fifteen thousand miles of telegraph in the United States, 
worked under Professor Morse's patent. 

4. There are three rival telegraphs in the United States, 
— the inventors of each of which have secured patent rights, — 
Morse's, Bain's, and House's. Morse's is, as yet, more exten- 
sively used ; but House's is an elegant invention, — all commu- 
nications being printed in small-capitals, — and, when working at 
the maximum rate, can transmit three thousand words in an 
hour. Morse's system is in extensive operation on the continent 
of Europe. 

5. It may be stated, in evidence of the rapidity with which 
communications are made by means of this invention, that Presi- 
dent Polk's last message, in December, 1848, was telegraphed 
to St. Louis, and other western cities ; the paper on which the 
signs were written was seven thousand two hundred feet in 
length. More recently, a communication was transmitted 
directly from New York to New Orleans, and an answer re- 
turned, in the space of five minutes, — making a distance of nearly 
three thousand miles. 

6. The cost, in England, of erecting telegraphs, is about seven 
hundred and fifty dollars per mile ; in the United States, only one- 
fifth of that sum, or one hundred and fifty dollars. The cost of 
messages in the former is from eight to sixteen cents per word ; 



328 RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE 

In America, the cost is only from two to ten cents a word 
This maximum rate pays for the transmission of messages from 
New York to New Orleans. 

5. Post-office. — 1. In the early history of the country, 
frequent communications between the new settlements was dim* 
cult. Special messengers were employed in cases of necessity. 
A single fact will serve to show at what trouble and expense 
intercommunication was had. On the 10th of December, 1672, 
Governor Lovelace, of the colony of New York, issued his 
formal proclamation, that, on the first of January following, a 
" sworn " messenger, or post, would start from New York city 
for Boston, and accomplish the journey there and back, within 
the month. Persons, therefore, who had letters, or "small 
portable goods," for Hartford or Boston, must lodge them at the 
secretary's office by a given day. The post was to be paid before 
the "bagg bee seald up." And all this "was for the more 
speedy Intelligence and Dispatch of Affayres." 

2. What a change has been effected in relation to the trans- 
mission of letters, newspapers, and periodicals ! Now, several 
mails are despatched, by various routes, each way, and every day. 
between these two important points. In 1800, there were nine 
hundred post-offices; now, 1852, about twenty thousand. In 
1800, there were twenty thousand miles of post-routes ; now, one 
hundred and ninety-six thousand, and the amount of transporta- 
tion fifty-three millions of miles. In 1800, the income was 
nearly three huudred thousand dollars; in 1851, more than six 
millions. 

3. In 1800, the rates of postage were eight cents, ten cents, 
twelve and a half, seventeen, and twenty-five, — according to 
the distance; in 1852, three cents for each half-ounce letter for 
all distances under three thousand miles, and six cents for all 
over. Letters transmitted are yearly multiplying, by millions 
on millions. 

6. Newspapers. — More than eighty years elapsed from the 
landing of the Pilgrims, in 1620, before a newspaper was estab- 
lished in America. It was called " The Boston Weekly News- 
Letter." Its circulation was exceedingly limited. In 1800, 
the number of newspapers had increased to two hundred. In 
1850, the newspapers and periodicals had reached the number 
of two thousand eight hundred ; of which the annual number 
of copies printed was four hundred and twenty-two millions. 
No people on the globe are so well supplied with reading of this 
kind as the people of the United States. The first religious 
newspaper ever published in the United States was the BostoD 



PROGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. 329 

Recorder. It appeared at Boston in January, 1816. The 
second was the lieligious Intelligencer, at New Haven, June, 
1816. 

XI. Inventions — Arts — Manufactures. — 1. No people 
on the globe are more distinguished for their inventive genius 
than the Americans. To the contrivance and perfection of all 
kinds of machinery they have been compelled, in order to com- 
pete with the manufactures of those countries where labor is 
cheap. In addition to this, annual fairs and industrial exhibi- 
tions, especially where rewards have been offered, have stimu- 
lated the exercise of mechanical skill, and led to numerous useful 
and ingenious inventions. 

2. The patent-office of the United States was opened in 1789 : 
since which era, the patents in Massachusetts have been one to 
every three hundred and ninety-four of its inhabitants; in 
Connecticut, one to two hundred and eighty-five; while in 
South Carolina, but one to four thousand seven hundred and 
thirty-three; and in Georgia, but one to ten thousand seven 
hundred and six, — facts which show how much more favorable 
the pursuits of the North have been to the development of enter- 
prize and genius than the South. The whole number of patents 
issued within the last half-century may be estimated at sixteen 
thousand ; and it is interesting to know, that the greatest num- 
ber of any particular class relate, according to Dr. Baird, to 
agriculture, and the smallest number relate to war. 

3. Perhaps the three most important inventions of the last 
half-century are those of Whitney, Fulton, and Morse. The 
cotton-gin, the invention of the first-named, was patented in 
1793 ; but it remained for the present century to develop its 
immense benefits. Mr. Whitney died at New Haven, in 1825. 
Before the cotton-gin came into use, not more than one thousand 
bales of cotton were annually shipped to England. Now, the 
annual product exceeds two millions of bales, of which a consid- 
erable part finds a market abroad. Of the inventions of Fulton 
and Morse we have spoken in another place. 

4. The use of steam-power for printing belongs to the present 
century, and has greatly aided in the multiplication of news- 
papers, pamphlets, and books. Until within a few years, the 
only printing-press was the hand-press, which gave two hundred 
and fifty or three hundred impressions an hour. The most cel- 
ebrated press of modern times is one recently invented by 
Mr. Hoe, of New York, which prints from cylinders at the rate 
of twelve thousand, and even, it is alleged, twenty thousand 

28* 



330 RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE 

per hour. Sheets for books, however, are printed less rapidly, 
as the impressions require to be more perfect than for news* 
papers. 

5. Anterior to the Revolution, the colonies were not permit- 
ted to manufacture, even for themselves ; the object of Eng- 
land being to keep them in a state of dependence. Even Lord 
Chatham, the friend of American liberty, said that they should 
not be allowed to manufacture a hob-nail. During the Rev- 
olutionary struggle, the people were in no condition to turn 
their thoughts to manufactures ; and, indeed, it is only since the 
commencement of the present century, that the genius of the 
people has had full scope. But, since that era, manufactures 
have been multiplied to an extent, and in a variety, difficult to 
realize. We cannot even name them. 

6. Yet, it may be mentioned, that the power-loom, for weav- 
ing cotton fabrics, was first introduced at Waltham, in 1815. 
The jenny, and the broad loom, for weaving woollens, at Pitts- 
field, in 1807. The discovery of the application of India rubber 
to cloth, by which it is rendered impervious to water, was first 
announced by Dr. Comstock, of Hartford, in 1828. It is now 
used to a great extent in that form, and for numerous other pur- 
poses. 

7. Another important discovery belongs to the latter part of 
the last half-century. It was ascertained that the inhaling of 
the vapor of ether would produce insensibility to such a degree, 
that a person under its effects might be subjected to the most diffi- 
cult surgical operation without experiencing the least degree of 
pain. A controversy, as to the honor of the discovery, has arisen 
between Drs. Jackson and Morton, of Boston, and Dr. Wells, of 
Hartford ; but it is not within the scope of this work to decide 
the merits of it/* 

8. The respiration of sulphuric ether, since its first application 
as above, or of chloroform, another substance used for a similar 
purpose, has been resorted to in thousands of cases ; and during 
the insensibility which succeeds, operations otherwise past en- 
durance have been safely performed. This, doubtless, is one of 
the most remarkable alleviating discoveries of the age. It 
should be observed here, however, that ether is now greatly pre- 
ferred to chloroform. The latter puts the patient into the power 
of the operator ; ether, on the contrary, while it renders the 

* The French Academy conferred rewards of merit on Messrs. Jackson 
and Wells. In 1848, the American Congress awarded to Morton the hono* 
pf the discovery. See Davis' " Half -century," p. 295. 



PROGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. 331 

patient insensible to pain, leaves him a free agent, having the 
power of choice. 

9. In this connection, it may be observed that no arts have 
made greater progress than engraving, sculpture, and painting. 
The names of Greenough, Powers, Brown and Crawford, as sculp- 
tors, are familiar to the lovers of art, and will ever be held in 
remembrance. 

10. Several eminent painters, says Dr. Davis, have flour- 
ished and departed, during the last half-century. Among them, 
we may mention Benjamin West, who, though he spent the most 
of his life in England, was American born. He died in 1820, 
aged eighty. Washington Allston, a painter of great merit, 
especially in Scripture subjects, was a native of South Caro- 
lina. He died at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1842, at the age 
of sixty. To these we may add the names of Trumbull, Inman, 
Stuart, Cole, all of whom will be long remembered, as artists of 
superior attainments. 

XII. Agriculture. — 1. A new era has recently commenced 
in relation to agriculture, which, as a science and an art, is 
receiving that degree of attention which its importance demands. 
It is beginning to be regarded, as it should be, not only as the 
basis of population and subsistence, but as the parent of individ- 
ual and national opulence. The states most devoted to planting 
and farming, or whose products are chiefly agricultural, are 
the Southern and Western. All the New England and Mid- 
dle States, as also Ohio, are very considerably manufacturers, 
and the most of them have a large commercial and navigation 
interest, — causes which operate to draw away hands from agri- 
culture. The proportion of the inhabitants of the United States 
devoted to agricultural pursuits is large, probably exceeding 
one-fifth of the whole population ; or, excluding children and 
females, about two-thirds of all the males over ten years of age. 

2. Great attention has been paid, within a few years, to agri- 
cuJ fcural chemistry, by which the nature of soils and the constitu- 
ents of plants have been developed. The value of different kinds 
of manures has also been determined. Two individuals have done 
the agricultural world vast good, by their experiments : namely, 
Davy and Liebig. Similar investigations have also recently been 
made by Boursingault and Pay en, in France ; Malda, in Hol- 
land ; and Johnston, Kane, and Anderson, in England. 

3. Almost every European country has its established school 
of instruction in scientific and practical agriculture. New York 
and Massachusetts have under consideration plans for efficient 
agricultural institutions, to be supported by the state. A few 



332 RETROSECTTVE VIEW OF THE 

of our colleges have professorships of agriculture already estab 
lished. 

XIII. Trade and Commerce. — 1. The commerce of the 
United States, during the last half-century, has expanded to an 
immense extent, and is still yearly increasing, with the pro- 
gress of population, and the still increasing spirit of enterprise. 
It consists, principally, in the exchange of agricultural produce, 
and, within a few years, of manufactured articles, for the manu- 
factures of other parts of the world, and the productions of the 
tropical climates. The principal articles of domestic produce 
exported are cotton, wheat, flour, biscuit, tobacco, lumber, rice, 
pot and pearl ashes, Indian corn and meal, dried and pickled 
fish, beef, rye, pork, &c. 

2. Of these exports, New England and New York are the 
great carriers. To them belong nearly two-thirds of all the 
shipping of the United States. The states south of the Potomac 
own only about one-eighth part. Our staple articles are princi- 
pally the growth of the Southern and Western States ; and are 
carried coastwise from the Southern to the Middle States, whence 
they are sent to foreign countries, almost entirely in ships owned 
by northern merchants, and navigated by northern seamen. 
Within a few years, cotton, in considerable quantities, has been 
Bhipped directly from New Orleans, and some few other ports. 
This mode of transportation is on the increase. The exports 
from the United States are sent to various countries ; but the 
"British dominions always receive the largest portion of our 
domestic produce, particularly cotton. The Spanish, Portu- 
guese, and French dominions have usually received the most, 
next to the British. 

3. The goods received in return for exports are, generally, 
the manufactures of those countries to which the exports are 
carried. From Great Britain are imported vast quantities of 
woollen and cotton goods, and manufactures of iron, steel, brass, 
copper, glass, earthen ware, silk, &c. France furnishes a large 
amount of silk goods, and fancy articles. From China, we 
receive tea and silk ; from Bussia, iron and hemp. Coffee comes 
from the colonies of the European powers in America and the 
East Indies; sugar, from the East and West Indies; rum, from 
the British and Danish West Indies. Wines are, principally, 
from France, Spain, Portugal, Madeira, and the Canary Isles ; 
brandy, from France, Spain, Italy, &c. 

4. Since the acquisition of California, large amounts of gold 
have been imported into the country; which, however, after 
having been coined, have gone abroad to pay the balance of trade 



PROGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. 333 

against us ; which, at least, in respect to Great Britain, is, and 
always has been, against us. 

5. Within the half-century, a new trade has sprung up, of 
which some account belongs to this place, — the ice trade. The 
first shipment of ice was made in 1805, by Frederick Tudor, of 
Boston, of one hundred and thirty tons, to Martinique, a West 
India Island. He lost four thousand five hundred dollars by 
the experiment. In 1815, he made profitable shipments to 
Havana. In 1833, he made his first shipment of ice to the East 
Indies. 

6. Within a few years the shipments of ice have greatly 
increased. In 1847, the amount snipped from Boston to south- 
ern ports was fifty-one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven 
tons ; to foreign ports, twenty-two thousand five hundred and 
ninety-one; total, seventy-four thousand four hundred and 
seventy eight, requiring three hundred and fifty-three vessels, 
and yielding five hundred and seven thousand six hundred and 
fifty-one dollars. The ice is taken from ponds in the vicinity of 
Boston. It is packed in saw-dust, of which, in 1847, there 
were used four thousand six hundred cords, from Maine, costing 
two dollars and fifty cents per cord. 

7. The price in Havana is six and a quarter cents per pound, 
or one hundred and twenty-five dollars per ton ; in Calcutta, it 
has receded from six cents to two and a half; at New Orleans, 
sometimes from three cents to half a cent ; and the amount 
used at this last place is twenty-eight thousand tons, annually. 

XIV. Education. — 1. Attention to the education of chil- 
dren and youth was coeval with the setllement of the country, 
as we have had occasion to show, page 126. But, within the 
present century, the subject has received still greater attention, 
and the principle is being adopted, throughout the country, of 
having common or public schools supported by state provision.^ 

2. Infant schools, Lancasterian and manual labor schools, once 
popular, have generally ceased to be patronized. Female semi- 
naries, of a high order, are becoming common. Of Normal 
schools, Massachusetts has three, — at Yv 7 est Newton, Westfield, 
and Bridgewater ; Connecticut one, — at New Britain, estab- 

* Several states have funds, — some, large funds, - — for the support of 
common schools, namely : Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine (small), New 
York, New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Wisconsin Vermont, 
New Hampshire and Rhode Island, depend upon taxation. Pennsylvania 
makes an annual appropriation. Virginia, Delaware, the Carolinas, and 
almost all the other Southern States, have no school system, but do more or 
less for the education of the poor. 



334 RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE 

lished 1850 ; but the largest in the United States is at Albany, 
established in 1844. 

3. Colleges. — At the opening of the present century, the 
colleges of the United States were twenty-five ; now, one hun- 
dred and twenty. Those who have the most extensive or valu- 
able libraries are Harvard, Yale, New Jersey, and the Univer- 
sity of Virginia. The advance in the preliminary studies, beCbro 
entering college, has been great within a few years ; and the 
system of studies pursued is far more complete. 

4. Of theological institutions, there are forty-two ; law schools, 
twelve ; medical schools, thirty-seven. The United States sup- 
ports.; two schools. The Military Academy, at West Point, was 
established there in 1802, but went into operation in 1794 ; it 
was projected by Gen. Knox. It costs the United States one hun- 
dred and fifty thousand dollars per annum. The Naval Academy, 
founded, in 1842, at Annapolis, costs, per annum, nearly thirty 
thousand dollars. 

XV. Charitable Educational Institutions. — 1. These 
are numerous; and nearly all have had their origin in the 
present century, — at least, in the United States. We can do 
little more than name them. At the head of these we place 
Sabbath-schools. The founder of these was Robert Raikes, of 
Gloucester, England. The first school of the kind he commenced 
in his native town, in 1781. Raikes died in 1811, aged seventy- 
six. 

2. A similar school, it is said, was gathered in Philadelphia, 
in 1791 ; but it was not until the present century commenced 
that these schools began to be extensively organized. The first 
is said to have been collected by two young ladies, in Beverly, 
Massachusetts, in 1810. Now, they exist in all parts of the land ; 
and are, doubtless, the means of good which no one can estimate. 

3. Institutions for Deaf Mutes. — The first institution of 
this kind was opened at Hartford, Connecticut, April 15, 1817. 
It is called the " American Asylum." It had its origin in the 
efforts of Dr. Mason Coggswell, of Hartford, who, having a 
daughter deaf and dumb, employed the late Rev. Thomas H. 
Gallaudet to instruct her. Subsequently, Mr. G. was employed 
by a number of gentlemen to proceed to Europe, and qualify 
himself for the superintendence of an institution for the benefit 
of deaf mutes in this country. After spending some time in 
Europe, with the above object in view, — especially in Paris, 
with the Abbe Sicard, — Mr. G. returned, and, soon after, the 
" American Asylum " went into operation. Similar institutions 



PROGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. 335 

have since been established in the United States, to the number 
of eleven.^ 

4. Institutions for the Blind. — There are three already 
established in the country. The first, called the " New England 
Institution for the Blind," was incorporated in 1829. A course 
of instruction was begun by Dr. S. Gr. Howe, the superintendent, 
after having visited Europe, in 1832. In 1834, the institution 
was presented with a font of types, adapted to printing with raised 
characters, by citizens of New Bedford and Nantucket. t 

5. Lunatic Asylums. — The oldest institutions, exclusively 
for the insane, in the United States, — excepting, perhaps, one 
at Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1773, — are the Maryland Asylum, 
founded in 1816, and the Friends' Asylum, at Frankford, seven 
miles from Philadelphia, established in 1817. The number now 
exceeds twenty. To the establishment of insane institutions, 
Miss D. L. Dix, a native of Boston, has greatly contributed, by 
visiting legislatures of different states, and presenting facts bear- 
ing upon the condition of this suffering portion of the community, 
and pleading for their relief. 

6. Instruction of Idiots. — This has been commenced in 
Massachusetts, in which state alone the number of idiots exceeds 
one thousand two hundred ; and the experiment thus far made 
has produced the conviction, in the minds of those interested in 
the subject, that they are " capable of improvement, and can be 
raised, from a state of low degradation, to a higher condition." 

XVI. Religion. — 1. The principal religious denomina- 
tions in the United States are, — and in the order of their num- 
bers, — Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, 

* " The most remarkable pupil in any of these asylums," say3 Dr. Davis, 
" is Julia Brace, of Hartford, Connecticut, Asylum. She was born January, 
1807. When four years old, she had the typhus fever, and, on the twenty- 
fourth day, lost her sight and hearing, which she has never recovered. She 
continued to talk for a while, and did not lose her speech entirely for a 
year. The word she continued to articulate longer than any other was 
mother. She is still a resident of the asylum, where she has remained since 
1821. When nine years old, she learned to sew and knit." 

t The same writer quoted above says : " The most remarkable pupil, in 
any of the asylums of the blind, is Laura Bridgman, who, like Julia Brace, 
is deaf, dumb, and blind ; and, indeed, no sense is perfect, except that of 
touch ; and yet she is made the recipient of knowledge. She was born in 
Hanover, N. II., in 1829. She was so puny and feeble, until she was a year 
and a half old, that her parents hardly expected to raise her. When two 
years old, she had a fit of sickness, during which she lost both her sight and 
hearing, and by which the sense of taste and smell were much impaired. Her 
propensity to imitate was very strong, and she learned much of the things 
about her. In 1837, she was placed under the instruction of Dr. Howe, in 
the Perkins Institution for the Blind, where she has continued ever since." 



336 PROGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

and Episcopalians. Besides these, the Unitarians, Universalists, 
Catholics, and Dutch Reformed, have numerous congregations. 

2. It is not to be disguised that much irreligion and vice pre- 
vail, and that a spirit of infidelity exists, though in a form more 
concealed than formerly, and under more decent names. Nor 
does it become us to deny, that, in a time of so much religious 
action and religious news, by which attention is occupied, there 
is danger of a superficial acquaintance with the doctrines of the 
Bible, among the mass of professors. Yet, whatever may be the 
danger from this source, we are persuaded that such exertions 
are altogether congenial with the precepts of the Gospel, and will, 
in the end, produce a vastly counterbalancing good. The exi- 
gencies of the church, and of the times, require precisely such a 
epirit of benevolent enterprise, to be increased, we trust, with 
ti « growth of the ration. 



TflB 

CONSTITUTION 

OF THE 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; 

Framed by a convention of delegates, of which Washington was the prei« 
[dent, which met at Philadelphia, from the States of New Harr;>ahire, Mas- 
sachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, 
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia ; and 
adopted 17th September, 1787. 

PREAMBLE. 

We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more Object*, 
perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, pro- 
vide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and 
secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do 
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of 
America. 

ARTICLE I. 

SECTION I. 

1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Legislative 
Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and P° weM - 
House of Representatives. 

SECTION II. 

1. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members House of 
chosen every second year, by the people of the several states ; and ep- 
the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for 
electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature. 

2. No person shall be a representative who shall not have at- Qualife*- 
tained to the age of twenty -five years, and been seven years a cit- ^^ ° Mfi 
izen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an 
inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen. 

3. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among Apportion, 
the several states which may be included within this Union, accord- J^p? 

ing to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by 
adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound 
to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, 
three-fifths of all other persons. The actual enumeration shall be 
made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of 

29 



338 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 

the United States, and within every subsequent terra of ten years, 
in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of repre* 
sentatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each 
state shall have at least one representative ; and until such enumer- 
ation shall be made, the State of iVeie Hampshire shall be entitled 
to choose three ; Massachusetts, eight ; Rhode Island and Provi- 
dence Plantations, one ; Connecticut, five ; New York, six ; New 
Jersey, four ; Pennsylvania, eight ; Delaware, one ; Maryland, 
six ; Virginia, ten ; North Carolina, five ; South Carolina, five ; 
and Georgia, three. 
Vacancies., 4. When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, 
how Ailed. th c executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill 

up such vacancies. 
Bpeaker, 5. The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker and 

how 'ap- ther officers, and shall have thc sole power of impeachment. 

pointed. ' 

SECTION III. 

No. of sen. 1. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two 
from each sena t rs from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six 

years; and each senator shall have one vote. 
Classifies 2 Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence 

tion of sen. f tQe m . gt election, they shall be divided, as equally as may be, 
into three classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall 
be vacated at the expiration of the second year ; of the second 
class, at the expiration of the fourth year; and of the third class, 
at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be chosen 
every second year; and if vacancies happen, by resignation or 
otherwise, during the recess of the legislature of any state, the 
executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the 
next meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill such vacan- 
cies. 
auaiifica- 3. No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to 
noniof sen. ^ e a g f thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United 
States; and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that 
state for which he shall be chosen, 
^siding 4. The Vice-president of the United States shall be President of 

jjfiicer of ^ e g ena t e . but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. 
5. The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a presi- 
dent pro tempore, in the absence of the vice-president, or when ho 
shall exercise the office of President of the United States. 
Senate a o. The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeach- 
trial' of im- ments. AVhen sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oatli or 
peachments. affirmation. AVhen the President of the United States is tried, tho 
chief justice shall preside; and no person shall be convicted with- 
out the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present. 
juigmentin 7. Judgment, in ease of impeachment, shall not extend further 
aase of con- than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy 
any office of honor, trust or profit, under the United States ; but 
the party convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to 
indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment, according to law. 

SECTION IV. 

Elections of 1. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators 
sen. and of ftn( j representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legis- 
lature thereof; but the Congress may. at any time, by law, make 
or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing sen 

Msetin°- of at ° rS * 

ConjrreM. ° 2. Tho Congress shall assemble at least once in every year; and 



CONSTITUTION OF TIIE UNITED STATES. 339 

luch meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless 
they shall by law appoint a different day. 

section v. 

1. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and Org»ima- 
qualifications of its own members ; and a majority of each shall tlon of Con * 
constitute a quorum to do business ; but a smaller number may 
adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the 
attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such 
penalties as each house may provide. 

2. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, pun- Rules of 
ish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence proceeding. 
of two-thirds, expel a member. 

3. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from journal of 
time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in CongresB. 
their judgment require secrecy ; and the yeas and nays of the 
members of either house, on any question, shall, at the desire of 
one-fifth of those present, be entered on the journal. 

4. Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, without Adjoum- 
the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to "? ent of 
any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. ° 

SECTION VI. 

1. The senators and representatives shall receive a compensa- Compensa- 
tion for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the Srivjjeg"' 
treasury of the United States. They shall, in all cases, except members, 
treason, felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest 

during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, 
and in going to or returning from the same ; and for any speech 
or debate in either house they shall not be questioned in any other 
place. 

2. No senator or representative shall, during the time for which Plurality o\ 
he was elected, be appointed to any civil office, under the authority hfoked. 110 " 
of the United States, which shall have been created, or the emolu- 
ments whereof shall have been increased, during such time ; and 

no person holding any office under the United States shall be a 
member of either house during his continuance in office. 

section vn. 

1. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Bni8 >' h °* 
Representatives ; but the Senate may propose or concur with ori s inale • 
amendments, as on other bills. 

2. Every bill which shall have passed the House of Represent- How bilir 
atives and the Senate shall, before it become a law, be presented laws™' 

to the President of the United States. If he approve, he shall sign 
it; but if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to that house 
in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objection at 
large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such 
reconsideration, two-thirds of that house shall agree to pass the 
bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other 
house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved 
by two-thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But, in all 
such cases, the votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas 
and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the 
bill shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively. 
If any bill shall not be returned by the president within ten days 
(Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the 
eame shall be a law in like manner as if he had signed it, unless 



340 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 

the Congress, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which 
case it shall not be a law. 
Approval 3. Every order, resolution or vote, to which the concurrence of 

»nd veto the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (ex- 
nreiiident. ce pt on a question of adjournment), shall be presented to the Pres- 
ident of the United States ; and, before the same shall take effect, 
(shall be approved by him, or, being disapproved by him, shall be 
repassed by two-thirds of the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case 
of a bill. 

SECTION VIII. 

Powers The Congress shall have power — 

K>i)*ress. ™ 1. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises; to pay: 
the debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare 
of the United States ; but all duties, imposts, and excises, shall be 
uniform throughout the United States : 

2. To borrow money on the credit of the United States : 

3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the 
several states, and with the Indian tribes : 

4. To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniforuk 
laws on the subject of bankruptcies, throughout the United States , 

5. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign 
coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures : 

6. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities 
and current coin of the United States : 

7. To establish post offices and post roads : 

8. To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by secur- 
ing for limited times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive right 
to their respective writings and discoveries : 

9. To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court : *& 
define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high 
seas, and offences against the law of nations : 

10. To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and 
make rules concerning captures on land and water : 

11. To raise and support armies; but no appropriation of monejr 
tc that use shall be for a longer term than two years : 

12. To provide and maintain a navy : 

13. To make rules for the government and regulation of th* 
land and naval forces : 

14. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the lawn 
of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions : 

15. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the 
militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed 
in the service of the United States, reserving to the states respect 
ively the appointment of the officers, and the authority of train 
ing the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress . 

16. To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, 
over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, bj 1 
cession of particular states, and the acceptance of Congress, be- 
come the seat of government of the United States ; and to exercise 
like authority over all places purchased, by the consent of the 
legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for the erection 
of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful build- 
ings : — and, 

17. To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for 
carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other power* 
vested by this constitution in the government of the United States, 
or in any department or officer thereof. 

y 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. Ml 

SECTION JX. 

1. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the Emigrant*, 
ltate3 now existing shall think proper to admit shall not be pro- *°£ admrt ' 
hibited by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hun- 
dred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such import- 
ation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person. 

2. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be sus- Habeas coi» 
pended, unless when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public pU8, 
safety may require it. 

3. No bill of attainder, or ex post facto law, shall be passed. Attainder. 

4. No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in Capitation, 
proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to 

be taken. 

5. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any Regulation* 
state. No preference shall be given, by any regulation of com- d e u ^"g ins 
merce or revenue, to the ports of one state over those of another ; 

nor shall vessels bound to or from one state be obliged to enter, 
clear, or pay duties, in another. 

6. No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in conse- Moneys, 
quence of appropriations made by law ; and a regular statement how dra,wi « 
and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money 

shall be published, from time to time. 

7. No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States, Titles of 
and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them "^bfted 
shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, 
emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, 
prince, or foreign state. 

SECTION X. 

1. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confedera- Power* «f 
tion ; grant letters of marque and reprisal ; coin money ; emit g^ 1 " d ** 
bills of credit ; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender 

in payment of debts ; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, 
or law impairing the obligation of contracts ; or grant any title 
of nobility. 

2. No state shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any Power* 
imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be abso- fo^ei. 
lutely necessary for executing its inspection laws ; and the neat 
produce of all duties and imposts, laid by any state on imports or 
exports, shall be for the use of the treasury of the United States, 

and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the 
Congress. No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any 
duty of tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace, enter 
into any agreement or compact with another state, or with a 
foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in 
such imminent danger as will not admit of delay. 

ARTICLE n. 

8ECTI0N I. 

1. The executive power shall be vested in a President of the Executm 
United States of America. He shall hold his office during the w ° h ^"' * 
term of four years, and, together with the vice-president, chosen Tested. 
for the same term, be elected as follows : 

2. Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature How 
thereof may direct, a number of electors equal to the whole num- electe<1 « 
ber of senators and representatives to which the state may be 
entitled in the Congress ; but no senator, or representative, or per- 

20* 



342 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 

eon holding an office of trust or profit under the United Statea 
shall be appointed an elector, 
proceedings 3. The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vota 
and *f ect0 " by ballot for two persons, of whom one, at least, shall not be an 
House of inhabitant of the same state with themselves. And they shall 
Re P- make a list of all the persons voted for, and of the number of 

votes for each ; which list they shall sign and certify, and trans- 
mit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, 
directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Sen- 
ate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Represen- 
tatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be 
counted. The person having the greatest number of votes shall 
be the president, if such number be a majority of the whole num- 
ber of electors appointed ; and if there be more than one who 
have such majority, and have an equal number of votes, then the 
House of Representatives shall immediately choose, by ballot, one 
of them for president ; and if no person have a majority, then, 
from the five highest on the list, the said house shall, in like 
manner, choose the president. Rut, in choosing the president, the 
votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state 
having one vote ; a quorum from each state shall consist of a 
member or members from tw j-thirds of the states, and a majority 
of all the states shall be neccssar}' to a choice. In every case, 
after the choice of the president, the person having the greatest 
number of votes of the electors shall be the vice-president. Rut, 
if there should remain two or more who have equal votes, the Sen- 
ate shall choose from them, by ballot, the vice-president. 
Time of 4. The Congress may determine the time of choosing the elect- 
eiectoraf ors > an d tne day on which they shall give their votes ; which day 

shall be the same throughout the United States. 
GLualifica- 5. No person, except a natural-born citizen, or a citizen of the 
president 1 !** United States at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall 
be eligible to the office of president ; neither shall any person be 
eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of 
thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the 
United States. 
Re80rt r h ,n **' ^ n case °*" ^ e remova l °f t ne president from office, or of his 
dhsabihty. ' S death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties 
of the said office, the same shall devolve on the vice-president ; and 
the Congress may, by law, provide for the case of removal, death, 
resignation, or inability, both of the president and vice-president, 
declaring what officer shall then act as president; and such officer 
shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a presi- 
dent shall be elected. 
Baiary of 7. The president shall, at stated times, receive for his services 
presi en . & compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished 
during the period for which he shall have been elected; and he 
shall not receive within that period any other emolument from the 
United States, or any of them. 
Oath re- 8. Refore he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take 
quired. the following oath or affirmation : 

9. " I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully exe- 
cute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the 
best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend, the constitution 
of the United States." 

SECTION II. 

Duties of i. The president shall be commander-in-chief of the army and 
ttui em. nav ^ o £ t k e Umfced States, and of the militia of the several states, 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 343 

when called into the actual service of the United States ; he may 
require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer, in each of 
the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the 
duties of their respective offices ; and he shall have power to grant 
reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, 
except in cases of impeachment. 

2. He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of May make 
the Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the senators „ r ppoJ"' 
present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice ambassa- 
and consent of the Senate shall appoint, ambassadors, other pub- ^°"j eB &ft 
lie ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all 

other officers of the United States, whose appointments are not 
herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by 
law. But the Congress may, by law, vest the appointment of 
such inferior officers as they think proper in the president alone, 
in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. 

3. The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that May fill 
may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commis- vacancies ' 
sions which shall expire at the end of their next session. 

SECTION III. 

1. He shall, from time to time, give to the Congress information M ay con . 
of the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration vtne Cong. 
such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he 
may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both houses, or either 
of them, and, in case of disagreement between them, with respect 
to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time 
as he shall think proper ; he shall receive ambassadors and other 
public ministers ; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully 
executed ; and shall commission all the officers of the United 
States. 

SECTION IV. 

1. The president, vice-president, and all civil officers of the How officer 
United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, J^ved. 6 r< * 
and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and 
misdemeanors. 

ARTICLE III. 

SECTION I. 

1. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in Judicial 
one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress {Jow er ' 
may, from time to time, ordain and establish. The judges, both vested. 
of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during 
good behavior ; and shall, at stated times, receive for their ser- 
vices a compensation which shall not be diminished during their • 
continuance in office. 

SECTION II. 

1. The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and To what 
equity, arising under this constitution, the laws of the United extendi! 
States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their 
authority ; to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public min- 
isters and consuls; to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdic- 
tion; to controversies to which the United States shall be a party ; 
to controversies between two or more states ; between a state and 
citizens of another state ; between citizens of different states; 
between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of 
different states ; and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and 
foreign states, citizens, or subjects. 



&44 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Jurisdiction 
of the Su. 
pre me 
Court. 



Rates 

respecting 

trials. 



Treason 
defined. 



How pun- 
ished. 



2. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other publio ministers and 
consuls, and those in which a state shall be a party, the Supreme 
Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other casea 
before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdic- 
tion, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under 
such regulations, as the Congress shall make. 

3. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall 
be by jury, and such trial shall be held in the state where the said 
crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed 
within any state, the trial shall be at such place or places as the 
Congress may by law have directed. 

SECTION III. 

1. Treason against the United States shall consist in levying 
war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them 
aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason, unless 
on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on con- 
fession in open court. 

2. The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of 
treason ; but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of 
blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted. 

ARTICLE IV. 



Rights 

states 

fined. 



SECTION I. 

1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the pub. 
lie acts, records, and judicial proceedings, of every other state. 
And the Congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in 
which such acts, records, and proceedings, shall be proved, and 
the effect thereof. 

SECTION II. 

1. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privilegea 
and immunities of citizens in the several states 

2. A person charged in any state with treason, felony or other 
crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another state, 
shall, on demand of the executive authority of the state from 
which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the state having 
jurisdiction of the crime. 

4- No person held to service or labor in one state, under the 
laws chcreof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any 
law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or 
labor; but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom 
such service or labor may be due. 

SECTION III. 

1. New states may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; 
but no new states shall be formed or erected within the jurisdic- 
tion of any other state, nor any state be formed by the junction 
of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of 
the legislatures of the states concerned, as well as of the Congress. 

2. The Congress shall have power to dispose of, and make all need- 
ful rules and regulations respecting, the territory or other property 
belonging to the United States; and nothing in this constitution 
shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the United 
States, or any particular state. 

SECTION rv. 
Republican i. The United States shall guarantee to every state in this 
fnaranteed. Union a republican form of government, and shall protect each 0/ 



Privileges 
of citizens. 

Executive 
requisi- 
tions. 



Law regu- 
lating ser- 
vice, or la- 
bor. 



New states, 
how formed 
and admit- 
ted. 



Power of 
Congress 
over public 
<ands. 



CONSTITUTION OP THE UNITED STATES. 345 

fchem against invasion ; and, on application of the legislature, or 
©f the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened), 
against domestic violence. 

ARTICLE V. 
1. The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem Constitu- 
it necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution ; or, \ l °^J bow 
on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several amended, 
states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, 
in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part 
of this constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three- 
fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three-fourths 
thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be pro- 
posed by the Congress; provided, that no amendment which may 
be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight 
shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth 
section of the first article ; and that no state, without its consent, 
shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate. 

ARTICLE VI. 

1. All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before Validity of 
tue adoption of this constitution, shall be as valid against the debt * ™cog- 
United States under this constitution as under the Confederation. 

2. This constitution, and the laws of the United States which supreme 
shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, j*™ d of JJJJ 
or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, fined, 
shall be the supreme law of the land ; and the judges in every 

state shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws 
of any state to the contrary notwithstanding. 

3. The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the Oath ; of 
members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and whon \ ** 

o * QUir6u, una 

judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, for what, 
shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support this constitution; 
but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to 
any office or public trust under the United States. 

ARTICLE VII. 

1. The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be Ratifica- 
sufficient for the establishment of this constitution between the tl0n * 
states so ratifying the same. 

Done in convention, by the unanimous consent of the states pres- 
ent, the seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord 
one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the inde- 
pendence of the United States of America the twelfth. La 
witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names. 
GEORGE WASHINGTON, President, 

and Deputy from Virginia. 



The constitution was ratified by the prescribed number of states constitu- 
|n 1Y88, and went into operation in 1789. Vermont, the first of ratified.** 
the new states which joined the Union, gave her assent early in 
1791. The number of delegates chosen to the convention was 
lixty-five ; ten did not attend ; sixteen declined signing the 



846 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



constitution, or left the convention before it was ready to be signed 
Thirty-nine signed, as follows : 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

John Langdon, 
Nicholas Oilman. 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

Nathaniel Gorman, 
Rums King. 

CONNECTICUT. 

Wm. Samuel Johnson, 
Roger Sherman. 

NEW YORK. 

Alexander Hamilton. 



NEW JERSEY. 

William Livingston, 
David Bearley, 
William Paterson, 
Jonathan Dayton. 



PENNSYLVANIA. 

Benjamin Franklin, 
Thomas Mifflin, 
Robert Morris, 
George Clymer, 
Thomas Fitzsimons, 
Jared Ingersoll, 
James Wilson, 
Governeur Morris. 

DELAWARE. 

George Read, 
Gunning Bedford, Jr., 
John Dickinson, 
Richard Bassett, 
Jacob Broom. 



Daniel Carroll. 

VIRGINIA. 

John Blair, 

James Madison, Jr. 

NORTH CAROLINA. 

William Blount, 
Rich'd Dobbs Spaight, 
Hugh Williamson. 

SOCTH CAROLINA. 

John Rutledge, 
Charles Cotesworth 

Pinckney, 
Charles Pinckney, 
Pierce Butler. 



MARYLAND. 

James M'Henry, 
Daniel of St. Thomas 
Jenifer, 
Attest, WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary. 



GEORGIA. 

William Few, 
Abraham Baldwin. 



Freedom in 
religion — 
•peech — 
press. 



Militia. 



Boldiers. 



Search-war- 
rant. 



Capital 
crimes. 



Trial 
IT- 



ty 



AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION. 

At the first session of the first Congress, twelve amendments te 
the constitution were recommended to the states, ten of which 
were adopted; the others have since been adopted. 

Art. 1. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment 
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof j or abridging 
the freedom of speech, or of the press ; or the right of the people 
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress 
of grievances. 

Art. 2. A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security 
of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall 
not be infringed. 

Art. 3. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any 
house, without the consent of the owner; nor in time of war, but 
in a manner to be prescribed by law. 

Art. 4. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, 
houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and 
seizures, shall not be violated ; and no warrants shall issue but 
upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and partic- 
ularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or 
things to be seized. 

Art. 5. No person shall be held to answer for a capital or other- 
wise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a 
grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or 
in the militia, when in actual service, in time of war or publio 
danger ; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be 
twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled, in 
any criminal case, to be a witness against himself ; nor be deprived 
of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor shall 
private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. 

Art. 6. In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the 
right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the 
state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 347 

*?hich district shall have heen previously ascertained by law, and 
i>y be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation ; to be 
confronted with the witnesses against him ; to have compulsory 
process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; and to have the assist- 
ance of counsel for his defence. 

Art. 1. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy suits at com 
shall exceed twenty dollarSj tlje right of trial by jury shall be pre- raon law ' 
served; and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined, 
in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of 
the common law. 

Art. 8. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines Bail, 
imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

Art. 9. The enumeration in the constitution of certain rights Certain 
shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the r ^aed d *" 
people. 

Art. 10. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Rights re- 
constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the served> 
states respectively, or to the people. 

Art. 11. The judicial power of the United States shall not be Judicial 
construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or f t g^ er lun * 
prosecuted against one of the United States, by citizens of another 
»tate, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state. 

Art. 12. § 1. The electors shall meet in their respective states, Amendment 
\nd vote by ballot for president and vice-president, one of whom, g° ec f rt 4 ' r ^ 
;i.t least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with them- Bisecting 
fslves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as pre^Vdent ° 
president, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as vice-pres- and vi:» 
ident; and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for P resident - 
as president, and of all persons voted for as vice-president, and of 
die number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and cer- 
tify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the government of the 
United States, directed to the President of the Senate; the Presi- 
dent of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House 
of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall 
then be counted; the person having the greatest number of votes 
for president shall be the president, if such number be a majority 
of the whole number of electors appointed ; and if no person have 
such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers, 
not exceeding three, on the list of those voted for as president, 
the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, 
the president. Rut, in choosing the president, the votes shall be 
taken by states, the representation from each state having one 
vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or mem- 
bers from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states 
shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representa- 
tives shall not choose a president, whenever the right of choice 
Fhall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next 
following, then the vice-president shall act as president, as in the 
case of the death or other constitutional disability of the president. 

2. The person having the greatest number of votes as vice-pres- 
ident shall be the vice-president, if such number be a majority of 

the whole number of electors appointed ; and if no person have a f 

majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list the Sen- 
ate shall choose the vice-president: a quorum for the purpose shall 
consist of two-thirds of the whole number of senators, and a major- 
ity of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. 

3. Rut no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of presi- 
ient shall be eligible to that of vice-president of the United Statef. 



DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 



In Congress, July 4, 1776. 

THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED 
STATES OF AMERICA. 

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people 
to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and 
to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to 
which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect 
to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes 
which impel them to the separation. 

We hold these truths to be self-evident: — That all men are created equal; 
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights ; that 
among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure 
these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just 
powers from the consent of the governed; that, whenever any form of gov- 
ernment becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to 
alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its founda- 
tion on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them 
Bhall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, in- 
deed, will dictate, that governments long established should not be changed 
for light and transient causes ; and accordingly all experience hath shown 
that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable, than to 
right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. 
Rut when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the 
same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it ia 
their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new 
guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of 
these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter 
their former systems of government. The history of the present King of 
Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having 
in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. 
To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world. 

He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for 
the public good. 

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing 
importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be 
obtained ; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to 
them. He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large 
districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of repro- 
eentation in the legislature, — a right inestimable to them, and formidable 
to tyrants only. 

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, 
and distant from the repository of their public records, for the sole purpose 
of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. 

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing, with 
taanly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people. 



DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 349 

He has refused, for a long time after such dissolutions, to cause others to 
lie elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have 
returned to the people at large, for their exercise, the state remaining, in 
the mean time, exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and 
convulsions within. 

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that pur- 
pose, obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners, refusing to pass 
others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new 
appropriations cf lands. 

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to 
laws for establishing judiciary powers. 

He has made judges dependent on his will alone for the tenure of their 
offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. 

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of offi- 
cers, to harass our people, and eat out their substance. 

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, without the 
consent of our legislatures. 

He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the 
civil power. 

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our 
constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws ; giving his assent to their 
acts of pretended legislation, — 

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us : 

For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment for any murders 
which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states : 

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world : 

For imposing taxes on us without our consent : 

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury : 

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offences : 

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, 
establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries, 
so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the 
same absolute rule into these colonies : 

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and 
altering, fundamentally, the forms of our governments : 

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested 
with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. 

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection, 
and waging war against us. 

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and 
destroyed the lives of our people. 

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries, to com- 
plete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with cir- 
cumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous 
ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation. 

He has constrained our fellow -citizens, taken captive on the high seas, to 
bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends 
and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands. 

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to 
bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian savages, whose 
known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, 
and conditions. 

In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress in the 
most humble terms ; our repeated petitions have been answered only by 
repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act 
which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. 

Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. "We 
have warned them, from time to time, of attempts by their legislature to 

30 



350 



DECLARATION OE INDEPENDENCE. 



extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them ot 
the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed 
to their native justice and magnanimity; and we have conjured them, by the 
ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations, which would inev- 
itably interrupt our connections and cox-respondence. They, too, have been 
deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acqui- 
esce in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we 
hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends. 

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in 
General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world 
for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority 
of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that 
these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent 
states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and 
that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, 
and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as free and independent states, 
they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, estab- 
lish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states 
may of right do. And, for the support of this declaration, with a firm reli- 
ance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each 
other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

Tosiah Bartlett, 
William Whipple, 
Matthew Thornton. 

MASSACHUSETTS BAY. 

Samuel Adams, 
John Adams, 
Robert Treat Paine, 
Elbridge Gerry. 

RHODE ISLAND, ETO. 

Stephen Hopkins, 
William Ellery. 

CONNECTICUT. 

Roger Sherman, 
Samuel Huntingdon, 
William Williams, 
Oliver Wolcott. 

NEW YORK. 

William Floyd, 
Philip Livingston, 
Francis Lewis, 
Lewis Morris. 



NEW JERSEY. 

Richard Stockton, 
John Witherspoon, 
Francis Hopkinson, 
John Hart, 
Abraham Clark. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

Robert Morris, 
Benjamin Rush, 
Benjamin Franklin, 
John Morton, 
George Clymer, 
James Smith, 
George Taylor, 
James Wilson, 
George Ross. 

DELAWARE. 

Caesar Rodney, 
George Read, 
Thomas M'Kean. 

MARYLAND. 

Samuel Chase, 
William Paca, 



JOHN HANCOCK. 

Thomas Stone, 

C. Carroll, of Carrolton. 

VIRGINIA. 

George Wythe, 
Richard Henry Lee, 
Thomas Jefferson, 
Benjamin Harrison, 
Thomas Nelson, Jr., 
Francis Lightfoot Lee, 
Carter Braxton. 

NORTH CAROLINA. 

William Hooper, 
Joseph Hewes, 
John Penn. 

SOUTH CAROLINA 

Edward Rutledge, 
Thomas Heyward, Jr^ 
Thomas Lynch, Jr., 
Arthur Middleton. 



Burton Gwinnett, 
Lyman Hall, 
George Walton 



QUESTIONS. 



The figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, which occur in the following questions, and which ar« 
Inclosed in parentheses (), refer to the maps ; and the pupil is requested to consult th« 
laap to which reference is at any time thus made. 



Map No. 1 faces page 14. 
u m 2 " " 36. 
u u 3 it « 66> 



Map No. 4 faces page 134. 
" " 5 " " 172. 
" " 6 " " 302. 



INTRODUCTION. 

1. Of what does history set before us striking instances ? By what 
does it incite us to imitate such noble examples ? With what pictures 
does history present us ? Against what does it warn us ? 

2. What is history the school of ? What springs does it open ? 
What influences does it point out ? What blessings does it illustrate ? 
What miseries ? What dangers ? What mischiefs ? 

3. What dealings does history display ? What does it call upon us 
to regard with awe ? What emotions does it awaken ? On whom 
does it lead us to depend ? What does it strengthen ? With what 
conviction does it impress us ? 

4. How does the study of history affect the imagination ? The taste ? 
For what does it furnish matter ? Of what does it enlarge the range ? 
What does it strengthen and discipline ? 

5. What is the first reason why the history of the United States 
should be studied ? What the second ? third ? fourth ? fifth ? 



GENERAL DIVISION. 

Into how many periods may the history of the United States ba 
divided ? 

For what is Period I. distinguished ? When did it commence ? 
When did it end ? How long is it ? 

Note. Questions similar to the four last may be asked on each of 
the following Periods. 

PERIOD I., p. 9. 

For what is Period I. distinguished ? When did it commence ? 
When terminate ? Length ? 

1. Columbus. 1. To what nation belongs the honor of making 
known to the Europeans the existence of a Western Continent ? To 
what individual ? Of what nation was Columbus a native ? 

2. Where was Columbus born ? When ? Who was his father ? 
How many brothers and sisters had he ? What is said of his early 
education ? At what age did he first go to sea ? 

8. To what city did he repair ? What was his age ? What is said 



352 QUESTIONS. 

of him at this time ? Whom did he marry ? Where did he fix hia 
residence ? 

4. With whom did he reside ? What privilege was he allowed ? 
With what did he thus become acquainted ? 

5. What belief did he adopt ? 

6. What discoveries confirmed his belief? What well-established 
fact ? 

7. Under whose patronage did he first offer to sail ? With what 
success ? To whom did he next apply ? How was he treated by the 
Portuguese king and his advisers ? Whom did he send to England ? 
What was the result ? To what country did he next repair ? 

8. By what route ? In Spain, where do we find him ? Who was 
with him ? What did he want ? What took place between him and 
the prior of the convent ? How did the latter assist Columbus ? 

9. How did these sovereigns treat his application ? What, at length, 
did the queen decide to do ? How did she propose to defray the 
expense of the voyage ? How many vessels were provided ? Names 
of these vessels ? Of which had Columbus command ? Describe them. 
Number of mariners ? Number in all ? 

10. Time of sailing ? Port ? To what islands did they first sail ? 

11. What incidents shall we pass over ? What took place Oct. 20 ? 
What reward was promised ? To whom ? For what ? Who made 
this offer ? 

12. Where did Columbus take his station > What was his state of 
mind ? What did he think he saw ? At what hour ? Whom did he 
call ? For what ? 

13. Whom did he next call ? What did they see ? What did 
Columbus consider these indications of? 

14. What signal did the Pinta give ? When ? Who first discovered 
land ? To whom, however, was the award adjudged ? Why ? 

15. On the following morning, what did they see before them ? 
When was this ? What did the natives call the island ? What name 
did Columbus give it ? What is this island called in English maps ? 
With what was it covered ? Latitude and longitude of this island ? (1.) 
Which way is it from Cuba ? Which way from Washington city ? 

16. Describe the landing of Columbus. By whom was the island 
inhabited ? What was their appearance ? How did they regard the 
English ? What did they think of the ships ? 

17. What large island did Columbus next discover ? Present cap- 
ital of Cuba ? What other large island did Columbus discover ? What 
other name has St. Domingo? (1.) Which way is St. Domingo from 
Cuba ? What island lies nearly west of Hayti ? What island nearly 
east? (1.) 

18. What befell Columbus during his return voyage ? What did he 
enclose in a cask ? Why ? When did he arrive in Spain ? 

19. To what was Columbus entitled ? By whom was. he robbed of 
this honor ? Who was Vespucius ? By what means did he give name 
to America ? 

20. Did Columbus make other voyages ? Did he ever discover the 
continent ? At what point ? When ? Did he know it ? 

21. What took place on his third voyage ? What did his enemies 
Induce the king to do ? How was this order executed ? 

22. What is said of Columbus on his return ? What had become 



QUESTIONS. 353 

li Isabella ? "What effect had her death upon him ? When did he 
die ? Where ? What were his last words ? 

23. Where was his body deposited ? To what place was it removed ? 
Where were the remains of his son Diego ? To what place were their 
bodies removed ? Where do they now repose ? 

24. Ignorant of what did Columbus die ? What idea did he enter- 
tain ? What did he think Hispaniola was ? What Cuba ? 

II. John Cabot. What followed the announcement of Columbus' 
discovery ? Who was John Cabot ? Where did he reside ? When did 
he sail for America ? Under whose patronage ? By whom accompa- 
nied ? When did he fall in with land ? What did he call it ? What 
was this land ? What island did he probably discover ? Where is the 
coast of Labrador ? Where is Newfoundland? (8.) W hie h way from 
Boston is Labrador ? Which way from Labrador is Newfoundland ? 

III. Sebastian Cabot. When did Sebastian Cabot make a second 
voyage ? In company with whom ? What did he explore ? In what 
direction did he sail? What reward had he, for his services ? Who 
bestowed this reward ? 

IV. John Vekrazant. 1. When did the French attempt discov- 
eries ? Who was employed to make them ? By what king ? Of how 
many did his squadron consist ? What is said of his ships ? 

2. Where did he strike the coast ? (1.) In what latitude is Wilming- 
ton ? (5.) After proceeding south, along what coast did he sail ? At 
what point did he land ? In Avhat hai'bor did he anchor ? What coast 
did he explore ? In what direction must he have sailed ? (3.) What 
name did he give to the country ? How long was this name applied to 
the country ? To what territory was it afterwards restricted ? 

3. What became of Verrazani ? 

V. James Cartier. 1. When did Cartier make a voyage to Amer- 
ica? Under whose patronage? What island did he visit? What 
gulf discover ? (3.) During a second voyage, what places did he visit ? 
Point them out. (3.) Whence had Montreal its name ? What Indian 
settlement existed there ? Where did Cartier spend the winter ? 
Which way from Quebec is the Island of Orleans ? (3.) What is the 
course of the river St. Lawrence ? 

2. What is said of Cartier in 1540 ? Where did he build a fort ? 
What became of his colony ? What became of Cartier ? What became 
of the party he met at Newfoundland ? 

VI. Ferdinand De Soto. 1. When, and by whom, was the Mis- 
sissippi discovered ? Who was De Soto ? How long after the discovery 
of the St. Lawrence was the Mississippi discovered ? From what isl- 
and did De Soto come ? In what year ? For what purpose ? When 
did he first discover the river ? At what point ? Where does the Mis- 
sissippi empty ? What is its general direction ? (5.) 

2. What was Soto's object in traversing the country ? Where did 
he spend the summer of 1539 ? Where did he go in 1540 ? What 
rivers did he cross ? What places did he visit ? Where are Mobile 
and Pensacola? (1.) (5.) When did De Soto die? Where ? Where 
did his followers attempt to go ? Where did they encamp ? What is 
Red river a branch of ? What did they here construct ? Whence did 
they proceed ? Where, at length, did they arrive ? 

VII. Sir Walter Raleigh. Whom did Raleigh despatch to Amer- 
ica ? When ? Under commission of whom ? How many vessels 1 

30* 



354 QUESTIONS. 

What sound did they enter ? On what coast ? To what island did 
they proceed ? What did they do here ? Who gave name to Virginia ? 
Why this name ? 

VIII. Bartholomew Gosnold. 1. In what year did Gosnold 
make a voyage to America ? To what part ? What discoveries did he 
make ? Origin of Cape Cod ? Where is this cape ? (2.) 

2. Who was Gosnold ? By what route did he reach America ? 
Length of his voyage ? What islands did he discover ? Where are 
these islands ? (2.) Where did he forma settlement? What became 
of it ? Length of his return voyage ? 

IX. State of the Country. What was the aspect of North Amer- 
ica on the arrival of the first settlers ? What wild beasts inhabited 
the forest ? What is said of the grapes ? Natural productions in the 
South ? In all parts of the land ? 

X. Aborigines. 1. By whom was the country inhabited ? Prob- 
able number ? 

2. What can you say of their personal character ? What of their 
personal appearance ? What of their complexion ? What of their 
constitution ? 

3. What was their general character ? What was their disposition ? 
For what distinguished in council ? For what in war ? What is said 
of their revengeful feelings ? If captured, what was their conduct ? 

4. What is said of their books ? To what was their education con- 
fined ? What was their language ? To what were their arts and man- 
ufactures confined ? 

5. What is said of their agriculture ? What articles of food did 
they raise ? To what was their skill in medicine confined ? To what 
did they resort, when they knew no remedy for a disease ? By what 
means did the powow attempt a cure ? What is said of diseases among 
the Indians ? 

6. Employments of the men ? Of the women ? 

7. Amusements of the men ? What did they do during their war- 
dances ? What were the amusements of the females ? 

8. What was their dress in summer ? What in winter ? What is 
said of their regard for ornaments ? What did their sachems wear on 
days of festivity and show ? W T hat object did they aim at in painting 
themselves ? W r hat was their sign for royalty ? 

9. What were their habitations called ? How constructed ? 

10. Mention some of their domestic utensils. On what did they sit, 
eat and lodge ? What did they use instead of knives ? What instead 
of twine ? What for fish-hooks ? 

_ 11. What did their food consist of? How did they cook it ? How 
did they cook corn ? 

12. What was their money ? What was it called ? How did the 
wampum of the New England Indians and that of the Six Nations dif- 
fer ? What was a belt of wampum a token of ? 

13. What is said of society among them ? What is said of the men ? 
What was the condition of the women ? Why did they form few local 
attachments ? 

14. What was their favorite employment ? What were their offens- 
ive weapons ? What their defensive ? In what manner did they attack 
their enemies ? How did they treat prisoners ? How were treatiej 
ratified ? 



QUESTIONS. 35 o 

15. What was their government ? Whose decisions were final ? Whom, 
however, did he consult ? 

16. By what means were they able to remember the speeches they 
had heard ? 

17. How many principal gods did they acknowledge ? Which did 
they consider the superior ? Which did they worship ? Of what did 
they form images of these ? What else did they worship ? Manner of 
worship ? What offerings did the Virginia Indians make to their gods ? 
Of what events had they traditions ? 

18. What is said of marriage among them ? What of polygamy ? 
What was their treatment of females ? How were they considered ? 
What were they required to perform ? 

19. What is said of their burials ? How were their graves dug ? 
What did they bury with their friends ? What did they raise over 
their graves ? In what posture did some tribes bury their dead ? 
Toward what point were their faces placed ? What took place during 
the burial service ? What is said of the origin of the Indians ? Whence 
did the Indians probably come to America ? Why is this opinion prob- 
able ? Could they have emigrated from the Eastern Continent ? 

XI. Reflections. 2. What in the conduct of Columbus should we 
emulate ? What may we hope to accomplish by these ? In what career 
should we press forward ? What, however, should moderate our expect- 
ations of reward on earth ? 

3. To what results do small actions sometimes lead ? For what will 
the name of Americus Vespucius ever be stigmatized ? 

MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS ON GENERAL DIVISION AND PERIOD I. 

1. Into how many periods may the history of the United States be 
divided ? How may each be distinguished ? For what is Period I. 
distinguished ? second ? third ? &c. Which is the longest period ? 
Which next ? What five periods were each eight years ? What two 
periods were four years each ? How long was it from the discovery of 
America to the battle of Lexington ? 

2. To what countries did the discoverers of the principal parts of 
America belong ? Ans. Spain, England and France. Of what nation 
were the leaders of the discoveries ? Ans. The Italian. What was the Ital- 
ian name of Columbus ? Ans. Cristoval Colon. Under what captain did 
he serve for several years ? Ans. Captain Colon. What part of the New 
World did Columbus first discover ? Did he ever discover the conti- 
nent ? What part of it ? Had any one previously discovered it ? 
Who ? What part ? Who patronized the voyage of Columbus ? Why 
did not Ferdinand take any part in the enterprise ? Ans. He had no 
confidence in the project of Columbus. From what port did Columbus 
sail ? Where is Palos ? Ans. In Spain, near the south-east corner of 
Portugal. Which way from Jamestown ? Ans. Exactly east. Where 
did Columbus expect to land ? Ans. In India. 

3. Who discovered Cape Cod ? Where is Cape Cod ? Who discov- 
ered the Gulf of St. Lawrence ? Whence did Virginia derive its name? 
What islands did Columbus discover ? What other name is given to the 
island of Hay ti ? Meaning of Hispaniola ? Ans. Little Spain. At what 
place did Columbus die? What was the whole expense of the first 
outfit of Columbus ? Ans. About four thousand pounds sterling. Valua 
of a pound sterling ? Ans. Four dollars and fortv-four cents. Value of 



356 QUESTIONS. 

his outfit in dollars ? Did Isabella actually part with her royal jew 
els ? Ans. No. She offered to do so, but the money was advanced by 
Bt. Angel. 

4. From what port did Cabot sail ? Ans. Bristol. What part of thf 
continent did he first discover ? Who discovered the Mississippi • 
Who was Americus Vespucius ? What was his occupation ? Ans. H« 
was a merchant. 

5. What is meant by the aborigines of a country ? What were the 
aborigines of America called ? Whence did the Indians come to Amer 
ica ? What was their appearance ? What was their money called ? 
What gods did they worship ? Amusements ? Habitations ? Domestic 
utensils ? Agriculture ? When sick, to whom did they apply ? Arta 
and manufactures ? Dress ? Favorite employments ? 

PERIOD II., p. 25. 

1. For what is Period II. distinguished ? When did it commence ? 
When terminate ? Length ? 

I. VIRGINIA. 

1. How long was it from the discovery of San Salvador to the settle- 
ment of Jamestown ? What is said of attempts to settle the country 
during that time ? Of how many did the Jamestown colony consist i 
Where is Jamestown? (5.) When did the colony leave England? 
What is said of this settlement ? 

2. Why was it called Jamestown ? What two companies were formed 
in England ? What lands did James I. give to these two companies ? 

3. Under which company was Virginia settled ? Who commanded 
the expedition ? Where was the government of the colony framed ? 
Of whom did it consist ? 

4. Where did the colony intend to settle ? Where is Roanoke ? (5.) 
Why did they not settle there ? What bay did they enter ? What are 
its capes ? (5.) Names of the council ? Who was president ? 

5. What enterprising magistrate can you mention ? What is said 
of his patriotism and self-denial ? What became of him during the 
voyage ? Why ? 

6. What took place in regard to him after their arrival ? 

7. Condition of the colony soon after its commencement ? On what 
account did it suffer ? What distinguished man soon died ? 

8. When and by what means was the condition of the colony im 
proved ? What accessions were made to it ? 

9. When did the London Company obtain a new charter ? Why ? 
Who was appointed governor ? Title of the company, und-er their new 
act of incorporation ? What territory was granted them ? Where is 
Point Comfort ? (5.) 

10. Why did not Lord de la War come to America ? Whom did he 
despatch ? With how many ships and men ? How many of these ships 
arrived, and when ? What became of one of them ? 

11. Condition of the colony, on the arrival of Sir Thomas ? Where 
was Captain Smith ? What took place after his departure ? How 
much had the colony become reduced ? What took place at this junc 
ture ? What was proposed ? How was their return to England 
prevented ? 

12. When did Lord de la War leave the administration, and why ? 
Who succeeded ? What change took place in regard to the ownershrj 
»f lands ? How did this operate ? 



QUESTIONS. 357 

13. What memorable event took place in Virginia in 1619 ? What 
Is said of this colonial assembly ? Who convened it, and where ? Be- 
fore this, how had the colonies been ruled ? With what were they now 
invested ? How divided ? 

14. What is said of accessions to the colony in 1620 ? Number of 
colonists before this accession ? What was done to attach them still 
more to the country ? Price of a wife ? How much was this tobacco 
worth per pound ? What, then, did a wife cost ? 

15. What other accessions were made, and by whose order ? When 
was slavery introduced ? By whom ? 

16. Who was the successor of Powhatan ? What did he attempt ? 
In what year ? How far was his plan put in execution ? 

17. When was the London Company dissolved ? By whom ? Under 
what pretext ? Who assumed the government ? What did it con- 
sist of ? 

18. Of whom did the London Company consist ? Amount they had 
expended ? Number of persons sent over ? Number of survivors at 
the dissolution of the company ? 

19. What is said of the dissolution of the charter ? What of the 
subsequent regulations of the king ? Whom did the people at length 
send prisoner to England ? When, and why ? What did the king do 
with Harvey ? Who, however, succeeded him ? When, and with what 
instructions ? What elfect had the granting of this privilege ? What 
took place in 1652 ? What became of Berkley ? 

20. When was Berkley invited back ? What did Charles n. do, on 
his accession ? What was the conduct of Berkley from this time ? 
What rebellion resulted from the discontent of the people ? 

21. Who was Bacon ? For what was he distinguished ? What com- 
mission did he ask of Berkley ? How did Berkley treat him ? What 
did Bacon do ? What became of Berkley ? 

22. What was done to Jamestown by Bacon's followers ? What other 
outrages were committed ? What became of Bacon himself ? After 
this, what did Berkley do ? What is said of this rebellion in Virginia ? 
How long did its effects last ? Luring its continuance, what was neg- 
lected ? How long was Berkley Governor of Virginia ? Where did he die ? 

23. What is thought of Bacon by some historians ? What was the 
character of Berkley's administration ? What would he not allow in 
the province ? By whom was Bacon's conduct condemned, and what 
was he declared ? 

24. Who succeeded Berkley ? What laws did Culpepper bi-ing with 
him T What is said of one particular law ? What dishonest act of 
Culpepper can you mention ? On presenting the laws to the assembly, 
what did Culpepper inform them ? What did the assembly do ? What 
is said of further events in the history of Virginia ? 

II. MASSACHUSETTS, p. 35. 

1. Derivation of the name Massachusetts ? 

2. What was Massachusetts originally a part of? To what company 
had it been conveyed ? By whom, and when ? 

3. Under whom did the company send a colony ? Where did they 
lend ? (2.) What became of this colony ? 

4. What is said of Captain John Smith, in 1614? What coast did 
he explore ? (2. ) To whom did he present a map of the country ? What 
did Charles call it ? 



358 QUESTIONS. 

5. What effect had the representations of Captain Smith on the Plym- 
outh Company ? What became of the old company ? What was tha 
title of the new company ? What territory was granted to this com. 
pany ? 

6. Date of their charter ? W r hat was it the basis of? Had the first 
settlement of the territory been begun with or without any patent ? 

1. Plymouth Colony. 1. When did the Plymouth Colony arrive on 
the coast of America ? Of how many did it consist ? Where did they 
land, and when ? What did they call their settlement ? (2.) 

2. Where were these settlers principally from ? Where had they 
sometimes lived, before embarking for America ? Why ? Who was 
their leader ? How early did they attempt to remove to Amsterdam } 
Did they succeed ? Why not ? 

3. When did they succeed ? What part, however, were detained, 
and why ? 

4. On what coast were they driven ? What did the sailors exclaim ? 
What did the Pilgrims do ? What was the effect of their prayers ? 

5. How long did they remain in Holland ? At what two places ? 
On what account was their situation unpleasant ? Where did they 
decide to remove ? Of whom did they seek direction ? By what 
service ? 

6. Where did they originally contemplate settling ? W r ith whom did 
they form a partnership ? Why with them ? What is said of the terms 
of this partnership ? 

7. What two vessels did they procure ? Which did they purchase, 
and which hire ? Tonnage of these vessels ? 

8 Before departing, what religious service did they observe ? From 
Leyden where did they repair ? To what place did they sail ? Where 
were they joined by the Mayflower ? When did both vessels set sail ? 
What became of the Speedwell ? 

9. When did the Mayflower sail from Plymouth ? With how many 
passengers ? When did they first descry the coast of America ? What 
cape ? (2.) How long had their voyage been ? Where did they design 
to settle ? Why did they relinquish it ? In what harbor did they 
anchor ? 

10. Before landing, what did they do ? Who was chosen governor ? 
Whom did they send out to make discoveries ? With what effect ? 

11. What is said of Miles Standish and his party ? W r hom did they 
see ? What did they discover ? What did they do with this corn ? 
How did it serve them afterward ? Who was the first-born European 
child in New England ? 

12. How were they employed for several days from the 16th of Decem- 
ber ? W r here did they land ? On what rock ? 

13. What is said of the Mayflower ? Where did they station their 
ordnance ? Into how many families were they divided ? What was 
assigned to each one ? What common house was erected ? W 7 hat did 
this serve for ? What is said of a fort, afterwards erected ? 

14. W r hat^ presently was the condition of the Pilgrims ? Why did 
they so suffer ? Number of deaths before the middle of March ? How 
many of these had signed the compact on board the Mayflower ? When 
was their burial-place ? What is said of those early graves ? 

15. What is said of the neighboring Indians ? When was the first 
treaty made with the Dadians ? Through whom, and with what chief 
How long was this treaty kept inviolate ? 



QUESTIONS. 369 

16. Who was Canonicus ? What did he do ? How did Governor 
Bradford retort upon him ? What was "the result ? 

17. In what year did the colony anticipate a famine ? Why ? What 
did tho Indians prophesy ? What day did the colonists observe ? What 
"•a said of this day ? What change took place toward evening ? In 
token of gratitude, what did the colonist* do ? Was this the first or 
second Thanksgi ving ? When was the first ? 

18. Was this Plymouth Colony a profitable enterprise to the London 
adventurers ? Why did they grow discouraged ? How did they act 
in opposition to the interest of the colony ? 

19. When did this partnership end ? By what means ? Who be- 
came sole proprietors of the land ? What patent had been procured ? 
What division now took place ? 

20. Was the colony ever incorporated by the king ? How was the 
government at first formed and conducted ? What did it consist of 
till 1024 ? What change then took place ? When did the towns send 
deputies ? How long did the colony continue distinct ? With what 
was it united ? When ? and by whom ? 

II. Colony of Massachusetts Bat. 1. What was the second colony 
of New England called ? When was it founded ? By whom ? Who 
was sent over by the purchasers ? Where did they settle ? Indian 
name ? Number of colonists ? 

2. Object of these colonists ? What two men were most active in 
this enterprise ? 

3. What tract of land did they purchase ? 

4. When did they obtain a charter ? By what title ? First gov- 
ernors ? When did additional settlers arrive ? What did they brinf* 
with them ? What settlement did they commence ? 

5. What took place in 1630 in regard to the charter and powers of 
government ? Where were the officers of government first chosen ? 
First governor ? Who were the other magistrates ? 

6. Who came over with Governor Winthrop ? Where did they 
design to settle ? Where did they settle ? and why ? (2.) Where did 
Governor Winthrop settle ? What was Boston first denominated ? 

7. What is said of Governor Winthrop ? In what condition did he 
find the colony ? 

8. What other evils were troubling them ? What number of deaths 
occurred, by the close of the year ? What venerable minister died ? 
What is said of his colleague ? What is said of Mr. Johnson and his 
lady ? 

9. Character of the succeeding winter ? Why did the colonists suf- 
fer so severely ? What is said of their stock of provisions ? What of 
a poor man and the governor ? Upon what did many subsist ? 

10. What was done, in this state of calamity ? What occurred the 
day before the Fast ? What change took place in consequence ? 

11. What two rules were adopted by the electors in 1631 ? Would 
Buch a rule as the latter be now tolerated ? When was it repealed ? 
What was the design of it ? 

12. What more important change took place in 1634 ? Why was 
this change expected ? What does Mr. Bancroft observe upon this ? 

13. What is said of the next ten years from this time ? What did 
the assistants claim over the freemen of the colony ? What remedy 
Was found for this evil ? and when ? What thus commenced ? 

14. When was Roger Williams banished ? Why ? What did h« 



360 QUESTIONS. 

deny ? What did he maintain ? What, however, was the chief cause 
of his banishment ? What is said of his doctrine ? 

15. What is said of the banishment of Mr. Williams ? What is said 
of the Pilgrim Fathers in so acting in reference to him ? What colony 
did Mr. Williams found ? 

16. What accessions were made in 1635 ? What two distinguished 
personages were among the number ? What office was conferred oja 
Sir Harry Vane ? Why ? What does Mr. Bancroft say of this ap- 
pointment ? 

17. Who was Anne Hutchinson ? What monstrous doctrine did she 
advance ? Who embraced her views ? Who deemed her sentiments 
heretical ? How were the people aifected ? By whom were her opin- 
ions condemned ? What became of her ? What is said of Governor 
Vane ? 

18. What was done for education as early as 1636 ? Who was John 
Harvard ? What benefaction did he leave ? What college was named 
after him ? What was done in 1647 for schools ? 

19. What do you mean by the union of the colonies ? What colonies 
were these ? What articles did they sign ? and when ? Why were 
they urged to such a union ? 

20. What were some of the articles of this confederacy ? 

21. How long did this union last? What colony petitioned to be 
admitted ? When ? Why was she refused ? What were some of the 
effects of this union ? 

22. What two men enlisted themselves in behalf of the Indians ? 
What was their object ? How did they attempt to convert the Indians ? 
What society was formed in England with reference to this object ? 
How did the Indians regard Christianity ? What success had Mayhew 
and Eliot ? What is said of Indian converts ? Where are Martha's 
Vineyard and Nantucket ? (2.) 

23. What other history is connected with the history of Massachu- 
setts ? What is said of the settlements of New Hampshire in 1641 ? 
What of the inhabitants of Maine in 1652 ? When did the coast of 
Maine begin to be settled ? What took place before they had gathered 
much strength? Where are the Piscataqua and Penobscot? (2.) 
What did these conflicting patents give rise to ? 

24. Where is Saco ? (2.) What court was held there ? When ? By 
whom ? and why ? Death of Gorges ? What took place after his 
death ? 

25. When did a royal fleet arrive for the reduction of the Dutch ? 
Where did it arrive ? What commissioners were on board ? What 
were they authorized to do ? How did King Charles regard the col- 
onies ? 

26. Conduct of the commissioners ? What did they receive ? What 
did they require ? What did they hear and decide ? What is said of 
their recall ? 

27. When did King Philip's War commence ? What is said of it ? 
How had the Indians regarded the English ? Why ? 

28. Who was the principal exciter of the Indians ? Who was 
Philip ? What is said of a treaty made with Masassoit at page 41 ? 
Residence of Philip ? Where was Mount Hope ? Immediate cause of 
the war ? Upon whom was the first attack made ? and when ? What 
Were the people about ? Where is Swanzey ? (2.) 

29. What took place in consequence of this attack ? What becamt 



QUESTIONS. 361 

if Philip ? Who favored Philip ? Where did the Narraganseta live ? 
(2.) By whom was a treaty made with them ? 

80. Where was Philip next found ? What did the English forces do ? 
What did the English attempt to do ? What became of Philip ? Who 
Were the Nipmucks i Who were sent to treat with them ? How did 
the Indians treat those sent ? Who was killed ? 

31. Where did the rest flee to ? Where is Brookfield ? (2.) What is 
Baid of the burning of Brookfield ? Who raised the siege ? 

32. What towns were next attacked ? Where are Hadley, Deerfield 
and Northfield? (2.) What is said of Captain Lathrop ? What of 
Captain Mosely ? 

33. Give an account of the> attack on Springfield. Who were the 
Tarrenteens ? What towns in Maine did they burn and plunder ? 
Where are Saco, Scarborough and Kittery ? (2.) 

34. What towns did they next attack ? Where are Oyster River, 
Salmon Falls, Dover and Exeter ? (2.) 

35. How did the Narragansets regard their treaty ? Upon this, 
what did Governor Winslow do ? What is said of this swamp fight of 
December 29th ? 

36. What is said of the conduct of some Connecticut men ? What 
number of wigwams were fired ? Number of Indians killed ? Num- 
ber taken prisoners ? What is said of the victory ? English captains 
who fell ? Number of English killed ? Number wounded ? 

37. What is said of this defeat ? What towns in Massachusetts 
were assaulted ? What towns in Rhode Island ? 

38. What gave the finishing stroke to the war ? When ? Where 
did the death of Philip occur ? Who conducted the expedition against 
him ? 

39. Who killed Philip ? What epitaph did the Indian pronounce 
over him ? 

40. What is said of Philip i What is said of the war after his 
death ? What of this melancholy period in the annals of New 
England ? 

41. What controversy terminated in 1677 ? Upon this, what did 
Massachusetts do ? How long did Maine continue annexed to Massa- 
chusetts ? Upon what did Massachusetts found her claim to Maine ? 
Upon what did Gorges' heirs found their claim ? When was the prov- 
ince taken under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts ? What county did 
it constitute ? When was the territory incorporated with Massachu- 
setts ? and how long did it continue ? 

42. When was New Hampshire separated from Massachusetts ? 
When and where was the first royal government in New England ? 
What did this form of government prescribe ? How long had the col- 
ony been under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts ? 

43. What important event took place in England in 1684 ? Who 
succeeded King Charles ? What did James do ? What is said of 
Rhode Island ? What of Plymouth ? What of Connecticut ? 

44. Of what avail were these petitions and remonstrances ? Who 
Was appointed Governor of New England ? 

45. When did Andros arrive ? What is said of his administration ? 

46. Condition of the New England colonies ? In what event did 
they find relief ? 

47. What did the peopl< of Boston do with Andros and his asso* 
eiates ? 

31 



362 QUESTIONS. 

48. Where did James flee from England ? What was the conse. 
ipience ? By what name is this war known ? How long did it last ? 

49. How was the opening of this war signalized ? Who was sur- 
prised and murdered at New Hampshire ? What village on the Mo- 
hawk was burnt? Where is Schenectady? (4.) What other settle- 
ments were burnt ? What expedition was fitted out by way of retal- 
iation ? By what colony, and under whose command ? What was the 
result of this expedition ? Where was Port Royal ? (3.) 

50. What other expedition was planned ? By what colonies ? 
Against what cities ? (3.) How many troops were furnished by New 
York ? By what lake were they to proceed ? Where is Lake (.'ham- 
plain ? (4.] Who was to invest Quebec ? What was the result of this 
expedition ? What sort of bills did Massachusetts issue ? Why ? 

51. What did King William do for Massachusetts ? When was thia 
charter granted ? What one privilege only did it allow ? What did it 
do in regard to limits ? 

52. How was this new charter rendered more acceptable to the col 
ony ? When did Phipps arrive in Boston ? 

53. What was among his first acts ? What law existed in Englan 3 
against witchcraft ? 

54. Where did the first suspicion of witchcraft begin ? When ? 
What is said of trials and executions in Massachusetts ? How long 
after this did the subject rest ? When was it revived, and in respect 
to whom ? In what year did it appear in Banvers ? Where is Ban vers ? 
(2.) Who were first affected? How were they affected ? 

55. What did they, at length, begin to do ? Where did the mania 
spread ? Against whom were accusations made ? Who was pressed 
to death, and why ? How many were executed ? How many impris- 
oned ? 

56. What, at length, began to prevail ? What special court war 
held ? What was the result ? Remarks of President Bwight ? 

57. What is said of the war of the French and Indians ? Whai 
towns suffered? Where is Haverhill? (3.) When was an end put to 
hostilities ? By what treaty ? 

58. What soon followed the peace of Ryswick ? What was the first 
cause which produced hostilities ? What a second ? What a third ? 
When did England declare war against France ? How long did it last ? 
What was this war called ? 

59. Upon whom did the weight of this war fall ? What colony 
particulai'ly was unmolested ? What two colonies bore the chief 
burden ? 

60. What was the declaration of war followed by ? 

61. What expedition was planned in the spring of 1707 ? What did 
the expedition consist of? What was the result of it ? 

62. What other attempt was made upon the place, and when ? Who 
furnished the fleet, and who the troops ? What was the result ? What 
change of names took place ? 

63. The following year, what plan was projected ? What forcea 
were employed in the expedition ? 

64. What disaster happened to-the fleet? In consequence of this, 
what took place? 

65. When did Queen Anne's War terminate ? By what treaty ? 

66. How long did peace last ? When were hostilities again com* 
toenced ? What was this war called ? What did it originate in • 



QUESTIONS. 36 

67. Most important event of this war in America ? Where wan 
Louisburg? (3.) On what island ? What is said of its fortifications > 

68. Who planned its reduction ? What reason was there for reduc- 
ing it ? Who raised troops ? Who artillery ? and who provisions ? 
Number of troops ? Naval force ? 

69. Whose cooperation was expected ? Where did he join the expe- 
dition ? When did the forces appear off Louisburg ? 

70. What is said of the batteries erected? What of the labor of 
their erection ? 

71. What did Commodore Wan-en do ? What took place soon after 
this ? How long was the siege ? When did Louisburg surrender ? 

72. What is said of this daring expedition ? What of the acquisi- 
tion ? Estimated value of the stores and prizes ? To whom was 
security given, and for what ? 

73. What did the court of France do, by way of revenge ? What 
was the object of this expedition ? What was the fate of it ? How 
many ships arrived at Halifax ? (3.) What was the former name of 
Halifax ? What took place here ? 

74. When were the preliminaries of peace signed ? Where ? Pro- 
visions of the treaty ? 

IH. Maine. 1. Whence did Maine derive its name ? How early so 
called ? With whose history did her history long blend ? 

2. When was the coast of Maine first settled ? What took place 
before they had gathered much strength? Consequence of these 
grants ? 

3. Who secured to himself a distinct charter ? Of what land, and 
when? What did Gorges form? What did he incorporate? (3.) 
When was the province taken under the jurisdiction of Massachu- 
setts ? When did it become an independent state ? 

4. What county did it become in 1G52 ? What privilege had it ? 
Why did Massachusetts lay claim to it? When was the territory 
incorporated with her ? When were efforts made to separate from Mas- 
sachusetts ? When was it effected ? 

5. What is said of the sufferings of the early settlements in Maine I 
What towns in different years were laid waste ? 

III. NEW HAMPSHIRE, p. 68. 

1. Whence has New Hampshire her name ? When was it first applied 
to the territory ? 

2. Who obtained the first grant of New Hampshire ? From whom ? 
When ? What was it called ? When and where were settlements first 
made ? (2.) 

3. Who was Reverend John Wheelright ? What territory did he pur- 
chase, and of whom? What town did he found ? (2.) To whom was 
this tract of country conveyed, the same year ? Where did he erect tho 
first house ? 

4. What coalition took place in 1641 ? What change in the govern- 
ment took place in 1680 ? 

5. First legislative assembly held ? Of whom did it consist ? What 
famous declaration was made by this assembly ? How long before a 
Bimilar enactment in Massachusetts ? To whom did the declaration 
give great umbrage ? 



864 QUESTIONS. 

6. Who was Robert Mason ? What appointment had he ? Whal 
demands did he make ? What is said of the judgment he obtained ? 

7. What power had the Massachusetts governor over New Hamp- 
shire ? When Andros was seized in 1689, what did the people of New 
Hampshire do ? Under whose jurisdiction did they place themselves ? 
When wo«* this ? What took place in 1692 ? What in 1699 ? 

8. What did Samuel Allen do in 1691 ? What did his heirs do in 
1715 ? Upon this, who revived claims to lands in the province ? Why ? 
How was thia long controversy at length terminated ? When did a final 
separation between New Hampshire and Massachusetts take place ? 

IV. CONNECTICUT, p. 71. 

1. Colony of Connecticut. 1. Whence has Connecticut her name ? 

2. Who was the first proprietor of the soil ? Under grants from 
whom ? To whom did he transfer it ? What did the patent include ? 

3. Who first visited Connecticut river ? At whose instance ? What 
did Governor AVinslow decide to do ? 

4. Meanwhile, what is said of the Dutoh at New York ? In what 
year was this ? What is said of William Holmes ? What did the Dutch 
forbid Holmes to do ? Where did Holmes erect his house ? Where are 
Hartford and Windsor ? (2). What did the Dutch attempt, the follow- 
ing year ? 

5. When were Windsor, Wethersfield and Hartford, settled ? By 
whom ? What is said of their journey ? 

6. When did they arrive on the Connecticut ? In what state did 
they find the river ? What is said of the loss of cattle ? What of the 
Butt'erings of the new settlers ? 

7. Who was John Winthrop ? When did he arrive at Boston ? With 
what commission ? What fort did he erect ? How long did the Say- 
brook colony continue independent ? Who attempted to take possession 
of the river ? Why did they not succeed ? 

8. Who removed to Connecticut in June, 1686 ? What is said of 
their journey ? Where did they settle ? What is said of Mr. Hooker 
and Mr. Stone ? 

9. What is the year 1637 remarkable for ? Who were the Pequots ? 
What assaults had they made ? What did the court at Hartford decide 
to do ? How many men were raised ? What number did Hartford 
furnish ? Windsor ? Wethersfield ? 

10. Who conducted the expedition ? What Indians assisted ? Where 
was their principal fort ? What gave the alarm, as the English troops 
approached ? 

11. What is said of the conflict? What was Captain Mason, at 
length, obliged to resort to ? What destruction was caused ? 

12. Why were the troops now in so great distress ? What providen- 
tial relief did they receive ? 

13. Who was Sassacus ? What became of him ? Where was there 
another fight ? Result of- this ? W T hat became of the Pequots ? How 
was the event of peace celebrated ? 

II. New Haven Colony. 1 . What was the Indian name of New 
Haven ? How came the English acquainted with it ? When was tha 
town begun ? 

2. Who was one of the principal founders of New Haven ? Why did 



QUESTIONS. 365 

he flee first to Holland and afterwards to New England ? Who accom- 
panied him ? 

3. Who made advantageous offers to Mr. Davenport and his associ- 
ates ? When and where at New Haven did they keep their first 
Sabbath ? Who preached ? 

4. When did the freemen of Hartford adopt a constitution ? Why ? 
What did it ordain ? Officers of the government ? Who sent deputies ? 
First governor ? 

5. When did New Haven adopt a constitution ? Where did the 
planters assemble ? What singular rules did they adopt ? 

6. Who was chosen governor ? How long did he continue to be 
elected ? What is said of the people of this colony ? What pursuits 
were they inclined to ? What event discouraged their commercial 
enterprise ? 

7. Who proved troublesome neighbors ? What did the Dutch claim ? 
What did these disturbances induce the colonists to adopt ? 

8. What became of the little colony of Saybrook ? When did she lose 
her independence ? 

9. What treaty was concluded in 1650 ? Provisions of the treaty ? 

10. Notwithstanding his pledge, what did Stuyvesant do ? What 
famous chief did he entertain, and for what purpose? 

11. What did the commissioners decide upon ? Why were hostilities 
permitted ? Who was applied to for aid ? What did Cromwell do ? 
What did the Legislature of Connecticut do, this year ? 

12. When was Charles II. restored ? What did Connecticut apply 
for ? Who succeeded in obtaining a charter ? By what means ? Data 
of it ? How long did the people live under it ? 

13. What did this charter include ? How did New Haven relish 
this ? When were New Haven and Connecticut united ? What charter 
did Charles confer in 1663 ? 

14. How was Connecticut affected by Philip's war ? What is said 
of her troops in the swamp-fight with the Narragansets ? 

15. When did Sir Edmund Andros land in Boston ? In what 
capacity ? For what purpose did he go to Hartford, in the autumn of 
1687 ? What did he demand ? By whom was the charter seized, and 
where concealed ? How long did Sir Edmund administer the govern- 
ment ? 

16. When was the secreted charter taken from its hiding-place ? 
What is said of the assembly and the colonial records ? 

17. What other encroachment was soon after attempted ? By whom ? 
What did he attempt to do ?- When did he repair to Hartford ? What 
did he demand of the assembly ? Before whom did Fletcher direct his 
commission to be read ? 

18. What dialogue ensued between Captain Wadsworth and Fletcher? 
What did Fletcher think best to do ? What did the king decide about 
the militia ? 

V. EHODE ISLAND, p. 79. 

1. Why so called ? 

2. Whom did Roger Williams visit, after his banishment ? Who was 
Ousamequin ? Where was his residence ? What grant of land did 
Williams obtain ? Why did he move from this ? Where did he move 
to ? What did he call his settlement ? Why ? 

31* 



366 QUESTIONS. 

8. Within whose jurisdiction was this ? From whom did he receivi 
a deed of land ? 

4. By whom was Mr. Williams joined ? What did he share with 
them ? 

5. What example was presented in this community ? 

6. Nevertheless, what did Mr. Williams provide for ? What covenant 
were the settlers required to sign ? What was this the basis of? 

7. How was the government of the town exercised ? Who were 
appointed, and for what purpose ? 

8. What others followed Mr. Williams to Providence ? When ? 
Why ? What did they purchase ? Of whom ? What settlement did 
they begin ? Where ? (2.) What other settlement did they commence? 

9. What form of government was adopted ? When was the govern- 
ment changed ? Who was chosen governor ? What other officers ? 

10. What did Providence and Rhode Island Plantations wish in 1643 ? 
Why were they refused? Whereupon, what did Mr. Williams do? 
What was granted in 1GG3 ? What government did this charter con- 
stitute ? Who was made Governor of New England in 1G86 ? What 
did he do in respect to Rhode Island ? What happened three years 
afterward ? 

VI. NEW YORK, p. 81. 

1. What was it originally called ? Why called New York ? 

2. Where is Sandy Hook? What vessel cast anchor there? In 
what year ? Was it the first vessel ? What does the note say ? Who 
was the commander of the Crescent ? In whose service ? On what 
voyage ? What shores did he sail along, and how far south ? What 
was Hudson looking for, on his return ? What did he pass through ? 
How far up the river did the ship proceed ? How far the boat ? (4.) 

3. On arriving in England, what did King James forbid Hudson to 
do ? Why ? 

4. What did the Dutch do ? What did the Dutch or East India 
Company do, the following year ? What did the natives call the island ? 
What is said of Captain Argall in 1G13 ? 

5. What demand did he make ? What took place on his retire- 
ment ? When was New York first begun ? What was it called ' 
When was Albany begun ? What was it first called ? What name did 
the country receive ? 

6. How long did the Dutch hold possession of New Netherlands - 

7. What grant did the Dutch republic of Holland make in 1621 ? 
What lands was this construed as including ? ^What present states did 
it include ? 

8. What other settlements did the Dutch make? When? What 
does Bancroft say of the Dutch ? 

9. Who was the first Governor of New Netherlands ? By whom 
appointed ? When did he arrive ? What officers were under him ? 

10. What is said of the manors of New York ? What did the West 
India Company allow in 1629 ? What were those called who availed 
themselves of the privilege ? What agent did the patroons despatch, 
and for what purpose ? 

11. Who succeeded Minuits as governor? What took place a few 
months before his arrival ? What is said of the interests of the color. J 
under Van Twiller ? 



QUESTIONS. 367 

12 Who succeeded liim ? When ? What is said of Kieft ? 

13 What colony arrived about this time ? Under whom ? Where did 
they settle ? How did Kieft regard this movement ? Where did the 
Swedes extend their settlements ? (4.) What was the territory called ? 

14. To what more serious troubles were the Dutch destined ? What 
expedition did the Dutch fit out ? What was its success ? Who was 
killed ? What did the Indians refuse to do ? What was Kieft resolved 
upon ? 

15. Give an account of this expedition. What celebrated woman 
was killed on this occasion ? What were the Dutch compelled to do ? 
Who was peace-maker between the Dutch and Indians ? 

16. Were the Indians pacified ? What is said of the war ? Whom 
did the Dutch engage in their service ? What was his force ? Whom 
did he rout ? 

17. How long did the war continue ? What did the Mohawks now 
claim ? Through their influence what took place ? 

18. Wlnt is said of the conduct of Kieft ? What became of him ? 

19. Who was the last Dutch governor ? When did he succeed Kieft ? 
What is said of him ? What was his policy toward the Indians ? 

20. When and for what did Stuyvesant go to Hartford? What did 
the Dutch claim ? How was the controversy settled ? 

21. What is said of the Swedes on the Delaware ? When was their 
power annihilated ? By whom ? What became of the colonists ? 

22. Where was the village of Esopu3 ? What is it now called ? (4.) 
When and by whom was it attacked ? How many of the inhabitants 
were killed, or made prisoners ? How were the Indians rebuked ? 

23. On what ground did the English claim New Netherlands ? 
"What grant did Charles II. make to the Duke of York ? In what year ? 

24. How did the duke assert his claim ? W T ho commanded the expe- 
dition ? What was Stuyvesant obliged to do ? What did Nichols 
promise the inhabitants ? 

25. What change of names took place ? What is said of the Swedes 
on Delaware Bay ? What of the duke's conveyance of New Jersey ? 
What of the purchase of Long Island ? 

20. Who assumed the government ? How long did he continue in 
office ? W T hat is said of his administration ? What wrong act was ho 
guilty of? 

27. Who succeeded Nichols ? Character of his administration ? 

28. When was New York retaken by the Dutch ? Under what cir- 
cumstances ? What became of Manning ? When was New York 
restored to the English ? 

29. To remove all controversy about titles, what did the Duke of 
i T ork do ? Whom did he appoint governor ? What is said of his 
administration ? 

30. What other colony experienced the weight of his oppression ? In 
what way i Circumstances of the interview between Andros and 
Captain Bull ? 

31. What important change was effected, in 1C82, in respect U) the 
"Territories"? 

32. Who succeeded Andros in the government ? When did ho 
arrive in the colony ? With what instructions ? What did James 1L 
refuse to confirm ? What is said of printing-presses ? What of import 
ant provincial offices ? 



368 QUESTIONS. 

33 To what jurisdiction "were New York and New Jersey added in 
1688 ? "Who was made captain-general ? Who was governor under 
Andios ? 

3-4. On the flight of James II., in 1G89, what is said of the people of 
New York ? 

35. "Who seized the fort of New York ? For whom did they hold it ? 
What did Nicholson and his officers do? Where did they retire? At 
this juncture, what letter was received ? How did Leisler construe 
this letter ? What did he assume ? "What part of New York submitted 
to him ? What is said of Albany ? 

30. Who, in 1691, came out as king's governor? Who was now 
released, and who tried and condemned ? What did the people urge ? 
Why did the governor defer their execution ? By what means did the 
people effect their purpose ? What privileges did Governor Sloughter 
confer on the people ? 

37. Who were the governors who succeeded Sloughter, to the French 
and Indian War ? What is said of these governors ? 

VII. NEW JERSEY, p. 89. 

1. When was New Jersey s< named ? In honor of whom ? 

2. When did the jurisdicti n of the Dutch over New Jersey cease ? 
To whom did Charles II. Cjnvey the territory? To whom did the 
Duke of York sell it ? 

3. When was New Jersey first settled ? Where is Bergen ? What 
fort was soon after built ? Where ? Where is Camden ? Where is 
Elizabethtown ? What is said of it ? (4.) 

4. Who was appointed governor? When? What did he bring with 
him ? What did this constitution ordain ? How were the officers 
chosen ? 

5. What was the effect of this liberal constitution ? 

6. When were New Jersey and Delaware recaptured by the Dutch ? 
On what occasion ? When restored ? 

7. What conveyance was made in 1G74 ? By whom, and to whom ? 
What did Billinge do? 

8. What division of New Jersey was made? When? Who took 
East Jersey ? who West ? Who laid claim to West Jersey ? Was this 
just ? Why not ? What did Andros attempt ? What was the issue 
of this contest ? 

9. To whom did Carteret sell his right to East Jersey ? When ? 
What did Penn do ? Who was made Governor of East Jersey ? When 
were the Jerseys annexed to New England ? How long did they con- 
tinue so ? When were the Jerseys surrendered to the crown ? 

10. What is said of the two provinces now ? What were the people 
allowed ? 

11. How long did the province continue under the Governors of New 
York ? Who was the first royal governor ? 

VIII. DELAWARE, p. 91. 

1. On what bay does Delaware lie ? (4.) After whom was it 
named ? 

2. Who first settled Delaware ? When did they arrive ? Undel 
Whose charge ? What place did Minuits build ? Near what town ? (4 ■ 
What name was given to the territory ? (4.) Extent of it? (4.) 



QUESTIONS. . 369 

8. Who laid claim to the territory ? How did Governor Kieft attempt 
to keep him in check ? Who was John Printz ? What did he do ? 
Why ? 

4. Proceedings of Stuyvesant in 1G51 ? Who protested ? What did 
Governor Rising do ? 

5. How did Governor Stuyveaant rebuke this outrage ? What became 
of the Swedes and their forts ? 

6. When was the territory surrendered to New York ? Who com- 
manded the expedition ? To whom was it sold in 1G82 ? How were 
these tracts then known ? How were they governed until 1703 ? What 
then took place ? 

7. What is said of Delaware during the Revolution ? What of the 
Delaware regiment ? 

IX. MARYLAND, p. 93. 

1. After whom so called ? 

2. Who was Sir George Calvert ? To what place did he emigrate ? 
Why ? When ? What was he compelled to seek ? 

3. Of what territory did he procure a patent ? From whom ? 

4. To whom was the patent made out ? Why to him ? What land 
did this grant cover ? What contentions arose in consequence ? 

5. First governor of the province ? When did he arrive ? Whom 
did he bring with him ? What was their religion ? Where did they 
settle ? At the mouth of what river ? (4.) 

6. What circumstances contributed to the rapid growth of Maryland ? 
What is said of its charter ? What did it secure to emigrants ? What 
privilege did it grant ? What is said of taxes ? 

7. Who at first enacted the laws? When was a house of assembly 
constituted? What did this consist of? What change took place in 
1650 ? How were the members of these houses appointed ? 

8. What rebellion broke out in 1G35 ? Who was Clay borne? What 
became of his followers ? What of himself and estate ? 

9. What is said of Clayborne in 1045 ? What became of the gov- 
ernor ? What is said of this revolt ? 

10. What did the assembly of the colony reiterate in 1G49 ? By this 
act, what might every one enjoy ? What was the effect of this religious 
toleration ? 

11. What is said of commissioners appointed in 1651 ? Who was 
one of these ? What were they to do ? What war did this give rise 
to ? Between whom ? What is further said about this matter ? 

12. What did the next assembly ordain ? When did the war com- 
mence ? What did Stone, the lieutenant, do ? Which party was vic- 
torious ? What became of Stone and others ? 

13. When was Lord Baltimore restored to his rights ? Who was 
appointed governor ? To whom was pardon extended ? 

14. When did Lord Baltimore, the founder of Maryland, die ? Who 
succeeded him ? What is said of Cecil Calvert ? What of Charles ? 

15. When was the tranquillity of Maryland again interrupted ? 
Why ? Which party, Protestant or Catholic, obtained the govern- 
ment ? 

16. How long did they hold it ? What did the king then do ? Whom 
did he send over as governor ? Under Copley, what took place ? 

17. When was this wrong rectified ? In what way ? What govern- 
ment was restored ? 



370 QUESTIONS. 

X. PENNSYLVANIA, p. 96. 

I. "Whence lier name ? 

*J. "Who was this William Penn ? On what account did he receiva 
the territory of Pennsylvania ? From whom ? 

3. Upon what territory did this patent encroach ? To what extent ? 
Between whom did contentions hence arise ? What other conveyances 
were made to Penn ? What did these grants embrace ? 

4. Religions views of Penn ? What was his object in founding a 
colony ? 

6. What assurances did he give to his Swedish settlements ? 

6. What often did Penn make to settlers ? Who took advantage 
of these offers ? Who was William Markharn ? What letter did Penn 
write ? 

7. What form of government did he publish ? WTio might be a 
freeman ? What latitude of conscience was given ? 

8. Did Penn come to America ? With whom ? Where did he land ? 
What did he find upon the territories ? To what place did he proceed ? 
What did he convoke ? What did he order ? What did this assembly 
do ? 

9l Who engaged the Indians to form a treaty ? Where was this 
treaty negotiated ? Near what city ? (4.) What did Penn say to the 
Indians ? 

10. How did the Indians act ? What did they say ? What did Mr. 
Bancroft say of the Indians ? What was the result of this kindness of 
Penn ? 

II. Meaning of the word Philadelphia ? Who commenced the city ? 
Of whom did Penn purchase the territory ? What is said of the growth 
of the city ? 

12. What is said of the rapid settlement of Pennsylvania ? To what 
was this owing ? 

13. When did Penn convene a second assembly ? Where did it meet ? 
For what purpose ? What at this time was ordained ? Effect of theso 
wholesome regulations ? 

14. When did Penn return to England ? To whom did he leave the 
care of the government ? What is said of James II., soon after? How 
did Perm regard this monarch ? What became of Penn ? Why impris- 
oned ? What, at length, was he permitted to resume ? Who was his 
deputy-governor ? 

1">. Did Penn visit Pennsylvania a second time ? When ? What did 
he find ? What, upon this, did he do ? When was this charter accepted 
by the people ? Who dissented ? 

16. What is said of Penn after this ? What took place after his 
departure ? What is said of the colony ? When did the people form a 
new constitution ? What did they allow the proprietor ? 

XI. CAROLINAS, p. 100. 

1. In honor of whom was Carolina so called ? Meaning of Carolui 
in Latin ? 

'2. What did this territory include ? To whom was it conveyed . 
By whom ? 

3. When was a settlement begun ? By whom > Near what sound ' 
What name did this colony receive ' 



QUESTION". 371 

4. "When was a second permanent settlement effected ? Hie i 
mouth of what river I (o. ) By what emigrants ? Name of t:. 
Fir-it governor 2 In what -• e both these colonies? 

&. When was a third colony founded ? What , and after 

whom ? Who came over with the colonists ? If] I they 

eater I To what river did they remove? H 
found ? What is laid of the aty of Charleston ? Of what 

this the commencement ? 

6. Who prepared a constitution of govern- riies? 
What did it propose ? What is said of the p. in hat did it 

in Abemarle count 

7. Who soeeeede I l Under him, what two colonies 
were united? What I m to be used in I to the two 
remaining colonies ? 

1. North Carolina Colon r. 1. of the prog rq 
North Carolina I What took place in 1677 ? 

2. Who ' - - ' - thel? When was he ■ I by? How 
long did the inhabitants - ith. him ? v.. - ;fl do J 
Remark of an historian ? 

'• j j. Whosneceed 5 I ! What did he do ? What if 
John Arehdale, sneeessor of LndweU I What 

assignments of land ? Who were a . session of strength and 

i to the col . 

4. How did the neighboring Indian tribes regard the colony ? For 
what purpose did they combine ? What nmsBBfrr took place ? When? 

•1 Who eame to their relief, and what did Barnwell do I 

6. What did the [ndi . after, again do ! fered ? 
The fort of what tribe i ! Number of What 

.-.- of the rusearocas ? With whom was a tre duded, and 

when ? 

7. When did the proprietary government cea- Una \ 
What became cf their charter? When did the propric 
their ri^ I 

II. Bourn Carolina. 1. I the foundation of the 

Lina ? In wh I - t? ! 

incorporated with it ? 
2. Whicl ' -' ? Why? What acce^ 

Vork ? Where did they chiefly concentrate ? W 
K»i 1 of Purita i 

: city of Charleston found; '., By 

f. . . . . . 

19 .n after annoy ed ? "What was 

•5. What When did 

y not welcon. - 
C. W _ rernor r Why ? What 

the effect of his measures ? 

7. Wh it notable person now appeared in the province ? What waf 
he allowed to do ? What became of him ? ceeded him ? Why 
Tas he glad to retire ? 

8. U . ? When ? What vf the pe 
How did he ;.. 

0. What one difficulty still remained ? What did the Jtiglish Epis< 
. Protestants ? 



372 QUESTIONS. 

10. By what means were these animosities at length healed ? 

11. What proposal did Governor Moore make to the assembly ? Dur 
ing whose war was thi»s ? What <lid the assembly think of it? Troops 
raised for the expedition ? What was the plan of the expedition ? 

12. Why could the governor effect nothing ? What was Daniel 
despatched for ? What took place during his absence? What is said 
of Daniel on his return ? Consequences of this unfortunate enter- 
prise ? 

13. How was the failure of this expedition compensated ? What 
expedition did Governor Moore undertake ? What was its success? 

14. Who succeeded Moore ? When ? What forms of worship were 
established ? From what were dissenters excluded ? When were these 
laws of exclusion repealed ? Why ? What acts, however, continued 
in force ? 

15. What design was attempted in 170G ? By whom ? During whose 
war? How was it defeated? 

10. What combination of Indians was formed in 1715? W T hat was 
the extent of this combination? (5.) What day was assigned for the 
destruction of the colony? How was the calamity averted? What 
became of the Yaniassoes ? 

17. What, at length, did the people of Carolina resolve to do? Whom 
did they request to accept the government? Upon his refusal, whom 
did they appoint ? 

18. To whom did the Carolinians complain ? What did the privy 
council decide ? Under whose protection was the colony taken ? What 
agreement between the proprietors and the crown followed ? 

XII. GEORGIA, p. 107. 

1. Whence its name ? 

2. In what patent was the territory of Georgia originally included ? 
What is said of the territory ? Why had the king a right to re-grant it ? 
Who laid claim to it ? 

8. Who was James Oglethorpe ? What plan did he and others con- 
cert? When? 

4. What, did King George do in furtherance of this plan ? What did 
the charitable do ? 

5. When did the colony arrive ? How many, and under whom ? 
Where did they first touch? To what place did they then proceed? (5.) 
Where did they begin a settlement? What was Oglethorpe's next 
object ? 

G. How many chiefs did he collect ? What did he ask of them ? 
What was the reply of the Creek chief? 

7. By whom was Oglethorpe assisted ? What is said of this Mary 
Musgrove ? 

S. Why did not the colony flourish ? 

'■>. What inducements were held out to new settlers ? Who availed 
themselves of these offers ? Number of planters who arrived ? What 
did Parliament do for the settlers? What did individuals do ? Why 
did not the colony flourish ? 

10. What country did Oglethorpe visit? Whom did he take with 
him ? When did he return ? By whom was he accompanied ? What 
Was the object of Wesley? What is said of him? When did he ga 
back ? W hat denomination did lie found ? 



QUESTIONS. 373 

11. By whom was Wesley succeeded ? Object of Whitefield ? What 
is said of him ? What of his orphan asylum ? Where did he die ? 

12. What expedition did Oglethorpe project ? When ? Where is St. 
Augustine ? (5.) By whom was he aided ? What forts did he take ? 
What naval force aided ? llesult of the expedition ? 

13. What took place two years after ? What did the Spanish arma- 
ment consist of ? Where did it sail from? What river did it enter ? 
Where is the river Altamaha ? (5.) Where was Oglethorpe? What 
did he do ? To whom had Oglethorpe applied for assistance ? Why 
did the Carolinians refuse ? 

14. What stratagem did Oglethorpe resort to ? What letter did lie 
Write ? What was the import of this letter ? 

15. What became of the above letter ? What did the Spanish gen- 
eral do to the French deserter ? What mistake did the Spanish council 
of war make in reference to three supply-ships ? What did the Spaniards 
do, in consequence ? 

16. What became of Oglethorpe, the founder of the colony ? In what 
state did he leave it ? What is said of the emigrants ? What, at 
length, did the trustees do ? 

NOTES. 

1. Extent of the period of settlements ? How many colonies were 
planted in America ? What were they ? 

2. Date of the settlement of Virginia ? Date of the commencement of 
the Carolinas ? Years between ? Colonies settled within those years ? 
When was Georgia settled ? How many years after the Carolinas ? 

3. What colonies were early united ? What names did they take ? 
How many colonies at the close of the period of settlements ? Age of 
the oldest ? Age of the youngest ? 

4. By whom were these colonies settled ? By whom was New York ? 
Maryland ? Pennsylvania ? Delaware ? What is said of emigrants 
and others ? 

5. What is said of the inhabitants of these colonies for many years ? 
How did they live among themselves ? Why ? 

Manners of the Colonists, &c. 1. What is said of the manners 
of the Virginians ? What does Stith say ? Yet at the close of this 
period what is said of many in regard to frankness, &c. ? 

2. What does Beverly say touching the courtesy of poor planters to 
travellers ? 

S. What were the circumstances of the earliest emigrants ? Of what 
Was there a great dearth ? How was that dearth supplied ? 

4. Why did not the Virginians suffer from want ? What story does 
a writer tell about five pounds ?♦ 

5. Habitations of the first settlers ? Before the close of the period, 
how were they ? 

6. What is said of the living of the Virginians ? What of their beef 
and mutton ? What inducement had the people to be lazy ? What 
was the price of some articles of living ? What is said of bread ? 

7. Whence did the colonies get their clothing ? What docs a write* 
say of their sheep ? What of bowls and birchen brooms ? What, how- 
ever, should be remembered ? 

8. What is said of the New England colonists ? What is said of their 
notions ? What of their manners ? What of their government and 

32 



374 QUESTIONS. 

morals ? What did they study ? What were some of their character 
istics r 

9. What will throw great light on the "views and manners of th« 
people of that age ? Mention some of these laws. How was Mr. Josiaa 
l'laistowe punished ? How Sergeant Perkins ? How Robert Shorthose ? 

10. In 1035, w4iat did the town of Hartford order ? What was the 
penalty for not attending town-meeting ? How were boys punished 
for playing during public service ? AVhat order was made in 1643 
about ringing a bell ? 

11. What did the colony of Connecticut order, in 1647, about tobacco ? 
What were the Virginians doing at this time ? 

12. What did the colony of New Haven resolve, in 1639 ? How was 
one Broomfield punished, and for what ? What other punishments 
were inflicted ? 

13. How are these matters sometimes referred to ? Why is there little 
just cause for the censure of the present generation ? What was the 
object of these regulations ? What were they really the dictates 
of? 

14. What is said of the early manners of the colony of New York ? 
In what respect did they pattern after the Dutch ? What is said after 
the conquest of the English ? * 

15. What is said of the gable end of their houses ? How was the 
date of their erection designated ? What had they always on the top 
of the roof ? 

16. Where did the family enter ? Where did they live ? What is 
said of the front door ? What of the grand parlor ? What of the sand 
on the floor ? 

17. How did the old burgher dispose of himself? How his good 
wife ? What did the young folks do ? 

18. When did a well-regulated family rise ? Dine ? Go to bed ? 
What is said of their tea-parties ? How was their tea-table crowned ? 
What other articles graced it ? 

19. What story does the author tell about a Dutch custom ? 

20. What is said of other colonies ? What of peculiarities before the 
close of the period ? 

Religion. 1. To what church was the colony of Virginia devoted ? 

2. What provisions were made for the support of ministers ? How 
Was this stipend settled ? What law passed the assembly in 1G42 ? 

3. What is said of the religion of the Church of England in 1650 ? 
How many pounds of tobacco were granted a minister ? What had he 
in addition ? How was the tobacco prepared ? 

4. What was the special object of the New England planters ? Of 
what sect were they in doctrine ? In discipline ? And what right did 
each church maintain ? What did they hold to the validity of ? When, 
and for what purpose, did they convene councils ? What officers were 
there generally in each church ? What was the pastor's office * 
Teacher's ? Ruling elder's ? 

5. What provision was made by the colonists of Massachusetts Bay 
for ministers ? Who was obliged to contribute to the support of the 
church ? What is said of persons attending public worship ? What 
Were the Connecticut laws touching the subject ? 

6. When and where was the fii^st synod convened in America ? 
What was the object of it ? What did the synod do ? 

7. Where was the Dutch Reformed Church first introduced ? What 



QUESTIONS 375 

Is said of their first meeting-house ? Cost of it ? How covered ? 
What is said of the town-bell ? 

8. When did the Roman Catholics first come to America ? Where 
did they settle ? Where was the first Baptist church formed ? When, 
and by whom? What law did Massachusetts pass, in 1651, against 
their doctrines ? 

9. When did Quakers make their appearance in Massachusetts ? 
What laws were passed against them ? What severe penalties were 
enacted against them in 1657 ? What took place in 1659 ? What is 
said of the conduct of Baptists, Quakers, &c. ? What did our fore- 
fathers seek to avert ? What had they not yet learned ? 

10. What can you say of the synod at Cambridge ? What platform 
did they adopt ? What ministers and churches were present ? How 
long was this platform the religious constitution of Connecticut ? 

11. What were Penn's religious views and tenets ? What worship 
did he institute ? What was a fundamental principle of Penn ? When 
was Episcopacy introduced into New York ? New Jersey ? Rhode 
Island ? South Carolina ? Connecticut ? 

12. When was the Saybrook platform formed ? By whom ? Under 
whose authority ? What is said of the revival of 1737 ? When did 
Whitefield come to America ? What is said of him ? What sect did he 
give rise to ? 

13. What is said of religious persecution before the close of this 
period ? What of rights of conscience ? 

Trade and Commerce. 1. What is said of the early trade of the 
colonies ? What did they import ? What did they return ? 

2. What were the first exportations of the colony of Virginia? How 
did the price fall ? What was the consequence ? What did they receive 
from the Indians ? What did they do with these furs ? In what vessels 
was the export trade carried on ? What other trade had the Vir- 
ginians ? 

3. First vessel from the West Indies ? First American vessel from 
the West Indies ? What is said of the ship Desire, of Salem ? First 
introduction of African slaves into New England ? 

4. What, at length, excited the jealousy of the mother country ? 
What was forbidden by the mother country ? What did the colonies 
export to England ? What did they build and sell ? 

5. On which side was the balance of trade ? How was this balance 
paid ? 

Agriculture. 1. What was the first business of the settlers ? How 
did they clear the land ? What was early cultivated in Virginia ? 
What is said of Indian corn ? What of vineyards ? When was rye first 
raised in Massachusetts ? 

2. Who first introduced neat cattle into New England ? What is 
said of the importation in 1629 ? What of cattle in Virginia in 1623 ? 
What did New York begin to export in 1678 ? What were the princi- 
pal productions of the middle colonies ? Of the northern colonies ? Of 
the southern colonies ? 

Arts and Manufactures. 1. What is said of early arts and manu- 
factures ? Why did they not flourish ? 

2. What manufactures were begun in Virginia in 1620 ? What does 
Chalmers say of New England in 1673 ? 

8. First buildings of the settlers, what made of? When were brick 
wad framed houses erected ? Where were the frames and brick pro- 



376 QUESTIONS. 

cured ? First windmill in New England ? First vessel built in Massa- 
chusetts ? What was it called ? 

4. First printing in New England ? Who was the proprietor of th° 
press? First article printed? Second? Third ? What Bible was 
printed ? When, and where ? Mode of travelling ? Why ? 

5. Progress of the arts and manufactures ? Mention some articles. 
Were they sufficient for the inhabitants ? 

6. First newspaper in North America ? How many before the close 
of the period ? General character of the books published ? 

Population. 1. Population of the colonies in 1701 ? 

2. Population in 1755 ? How many of these were foreigners ? 

Education. 1. What is said of attention to education ? In what 
colony and where was a college established ? For whose education ? 
What appropriation did the Virginia Company make for education ? 
When was William and Mary's College established ? 

2. What is said of education in the northern colonies ? What appro- 
priation did the General Court of Massachusetts make, in 1636 ? When 
was Cambridge college established ? Where, at first, located ? Who 
endowed it ? What legacy did he leave it ? When was the first com- 
mencement ? Graduates ? What other colonies contributed to its 
funds ? 

3. What is said of common schools ? What specimen can you men- 
tion of the arrangements for common schools ? 

4. When was Yale College commenced ? By whom ? Who chartered 
it ? Where begun ? First commencement ? When and where re- 
moved ? After whom called, and why ? Who founded Nassau Hall ? 
Where is this located ? When ? By whom was it enlarged ? 

Reflections. 1. What is said of the continent at the commencement 
of this period ? What change do we find at the close ? What do we 
now see ? 

2. How has this change been effected ? 

3. If you look at our fathers, in what circumstances do you see them ' 

4. For what should we be thankful in regard to our lot, compared 
with our ancestors ? 

5. What does the delusion regarding the Salem witchcraft warn us 
against ? 

6. What does our account of the Salem witchcraft still further sug- 
gest ? What should we exercise towards those who fall into occasional 
error ? 

MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS ON PERIOD II. 

1. When was Jamestown settled ? How long is Period II. ? How 
long from the discovery of America to settlement of Jamestown ? Who 
was the most efficient man among those who settled Jamestown ? How 
far is Jamestown from the mouth of the river ? Ans. About thirty- 
two miles. To what two companies were letters patent granted in 
1606 ? By whom ? 

2. When was Plymouth in Massachusetts settled ? By whom ? How 
long after Jamestown? When, and by whom, was laid the foundation 
of Massachusetts colony ? When was Connecticut settled ? Colony of 
New Haven ? Georgia ? New Hampshire ? New York ? By whom 
was New York settled ? When was New York surrendered to the Eng- 
lish ? When was New Jersey settled ? Delaware ? Pennsylvania ? 
What people generally settled Pennsylvania ? Who settled Maryland ' 



QUESTIONS. 377 

When was it first settled ? Who was Roger Williams ? What colony did 
he found ? When were North and South Carolina settled ? When 
were they divided ? 

3. Who was John Holmes? What do you recollect ahout him? 
What about Wahquimicut ? What two Indian wars occurred during 
this Period ? About what year was Philip's War ? Who killed Philip ? 
Who conducted the war against the Pequots ? What town did Roger 
Williams found in Rhode Island ? What were the principal forts of 
the Pequots? Where was the principal residence of Philip? Who 
was the great sachem of the Pequots ? What was the Indian name of 
New Haven ? Of Boston ? Of New York ? Of Savannah ? 

4. What two ministers accompanied the first settlers of Connecticut ? 
Who was the principal founder of New Haven ? When were New Ha- 
ven and Connecticut colonies united ? Date of the union of the New 
England colonies? Why was this union formed? How many colo- 
nies formed it ? Who was John Eliot ? What do you recollect about 
him? 

5. Who were the Narragansets ? In what wars did they act a dis- 
tinguished part ? Whom did the Duke of York appoint his governor ? 
What was the character of his administration ? Relate the story of 
his coming to Hartford and demanding the charter. What i*ebellion 
occurred in Virginia ? AVhen ? Who headed it ? Who was at that 
time governor ? Issue of it ? 

6 Who founded Philadelphia ? When ? How long after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown ? Plymouth ? What is the meaning of Philadel- 
phia ? Who was Massasoit ? With whom did he make a treaty ? Who 
was the first Governor of Plymouth Colony ? Of New Haven Colony ? 
Of Massachusetts Colony ? Who was Lord Baltimore ? Who was con- 
Bidered the father of the Puritans ? Did he ever remove to America ? 
Who was Samoset ? Who was Squanto ? What day of what month is 
celebrated as the landing of the Pilgrims ? In what vessels did the 
Pilgrims come to America ? Who was Miles Standish ? 

7. Where was the first representative legislature in this country ? 
When ? When did the towns in Connecticut first establish a constitu- 
tion? When were East and "West Jersey united ? Who settled Del- 
aware ? 

8. Tell the date of the settlement of every state mentioned in this 
Period. What towns suffered much in Philip's War ? What was the 
occasion of Philip's War? What scene opened this war? To whom 
did James I. grant a patent of New England in 1G20 ? Where did 
Endicott settle ? 

9. In what town did the Indians murder nine persons in 1C37? 
When, and by whom, was Salem settled ? What colony was settled 
mostly by Roman Catholics ? What by Quakers ? What two colonies 
Were founded on very liberal principles ? 

10. What colony was refused admittance into the New England Con- 
federacy, formed in 1643 ? Why ? Who was a distinguished minister 
of Roxbury ? Who was Sassacus ? 

11. When was Roger Williams banished from Salem? Who were 
the Mohawks ? From what town in Massachusetts came the first set- 
tlers of Hartford ? What was the Indian name of Rhode Island ? 
Who was William Coddington ? What patent was granted to Lords 
Bay and Seal, &c, in 1681 ? 

12. What event most interesting to Massachusetts occurred in 1684 ? 

32* 



378 QUESTIONS. 

What other charters were soon vacated ? Meaning of this term ? When 
was the condition of New England distressing, in consequence of the 
arbitrary acts of Andros ? What event brought them relief ? When 
Was William, Prince of Orange, proclaimed ? 

13. What wars occurred during this period ? When did King Wil- 
liam's war begin ? When end ? In what treaty ? When did Anne's war 
begin ? How long was it ? In what treaty did it end ? Date of this 
treaty ? When did the war of George II. begin ? When end ? In what 
treaty ? Which was the longest of these wars ? Which the most 
Bevere ? 

14. When was Georgia settled ? By whom ? Who was the leader of 
the colony ? How long after the settlement of JamestoAvn ? When did 
William ascend the throne ? W r hat was done with Andros ? What 
colonies resumed their charters ? What colony obtained a new char- 
ter ? 

15. What insurrection occurred in New York in 1689-90 ? Cause of 
it ? Head of it ? Issue of it ? Who was Seth Sothel ? History of his 
proceedings ? When did the infatuation about witchcraft begin ? 
Where ? What distinguished persons were accused ? Who was Sir 
William Phipps ? What expedition did he lead ? In what war ? With 
what success ? 

16. When was the first printing-press established in the country ? 
Where ? What kind of mill was the first in New England ? In what 
year was built the first vessel in Massachusetts ? Name ? What was 
first printed ? Whose version of the Bible was first printed ? In what 
language ? ' 

17. Population of the colonies at the close of the Period of Settle- 
ments ? With what country did the colonies principally trade during 
the Second Period ? When were slaves first introduced into New Eng- 
land ? What college was first founded in the colonies ? Which was the 
second ? Where was the Cambridge platform composed and adopted ? 
When ? By whom ? 

18. What newspaper was first printed in North America ? Where ? 
In what year ? What were the provisions of the treaty of Byswick ? 
Who settled in Carolina in 1707 and 1710 ? Who plotted their destruc- 
tion, two years after ? 

19. Where is Louisburg ? How was this fortified ? What was it 
called ? How long was it besieged before it was taken ? When did it 
surrender ? What colonies were engaged in the expedition ? 



PEBIOD in., p. 129. 

For what is Period in. distinguished ? When did it commence ? 
When terminate ? Length ? 

1. What is said of the history of the colonies to this date ? 

2. What is said of their history for years from this time ? What had 
the American colonies to do with reference to England ? How long did 
they enjoy peace ? W T hen did England declare war against France ? 
When was it reciprocated by France ? 

3. What is this war called ? What were the principal events of 
1751? 1755? 1756? 1757? 1758? 1759? 1760? 1763? 

4. What was the general cause of the French and Indian War ' 
Where were these English settlements ? Where had the French 



QUESTIONS. 379 

ixtended themselves ? What had they decided to connect ? By means 
of what ? What object had they ? What was the English claim founded 
upon ? Upon whom fell the severity of the war ? 

5. What circumstance opened the war ' Of whom did the Ohio 
Company consist ? What purchase had they made, and for what pur- 
pose ? Who had intelligence of these transactions ? What did he fear ? 
What did he do ? 

6. To whom did the Ohio Company appeal ? What did Dinwiddie do ? 
What did the assembly order ? 

7. To whom was this service intrusted ? How old was Washington ? 
What is said of the service assigned him ? How did he perform the 
service ? What reply did he bring back ? 

8. What did the British ministry direct to be done r What force 
was raised ? To whose command was it intrusted ? When did Wash- 
ington march, and whither ? 

9. What fort did he erect ? Towards what French fort did he pro- 
ceed ? What was it the present site of? (4.) Whither did he retire ? 
Why ? What befell him at Fort Necessity ? What was he obliged to 
surrender ? How long after this was the formal declaration of war ? 

10. What did the British ministry recommend to the American colo- 
nies ? Why ? What convention was accordingly held ? Where ? 
When ? What was adopted ? What did it resemble ? Why was it 
not adopted ? 

Campaign op 1755. 1. How many expeditions were planned for 
this campaign ? (3.) (4.) 

2. By whom was the expedition against Nova Scotia conducted ? Of 
what did it consist ? From what did it sail ? By whom was it joined ? 
What port was taken ? To what name was it changed ? What is said 
of the whole of Nova Scotia ? (3.) 

3. What difficult question arose, in relation to the inhabitants of 
Nova Scotia ? How were they disposed of ? Why ? 

4. Who conducted the expedition against the French on the Ohio ? 
Who was Braddock ? Force ? Against what fort did he proceed ? (4.) 
Whom did he leave to follow ? With what troops press on ? Against 
what was he warned ? Where was he surprised ? When ? Number 
of the enemy ? What became of Braddock ? Loss of soldiers and 
officers ? 

5. To what was the defeat of Braddock to be ascribed ? In what 
estimation did he hold the provincial troops ? Whose retreat did they 
cover ? Who commanded ? To what fort did the army proceed ? 
What might they here have done ? What course did Colonel Dunbar 
pursue ? 

6. Who conducted the expedition against Crown Point ? What was 
the success of this ? To what point did the army of Johnson proceed ? 
What intelligence was here received ? Where was Fort Edward ? (4.) 
What did a council of war resolve to do ? Who commanded the party 
detached ? By whom was it surprised ? Who were killed ? 

7 Where was the firing heard ? What was inferred ? What was 
done ? Who was defeated ? What distinguished French gentleman 
fell ? 

8. Who led the expedition against Niagara ? Force employed ? How 
lar did the expedition proceed ? Why was it abandoned ? 

Campaign of 1756. 1. Who succeeded Governor Shirley? Who 



380 QUESTIONS. 

commanded until the arrival of Abercrombie ? How had the war been 
carried on till this time ? When was war declared ? 

2. What was the plan of operation for 1756 ? What is said of these 
places? What of the former? What of the latter? Why did the 
plan fail ? 

8. Who succeeded Dieskau ? What fort did he invest in August r 
Where was this fort ? (4.) With what success ? W hat is said of the 
fall of Oswego ? 

4. Of what lakes did the capture of this fort give the enemy com- 
mand ? Of what country ? What losses did the English experience, 
in men and stores ? What is said of further extensive operations ? To 
what was this suspension attributed ? 

Campaign op 1757. 1. What did the British Parliament do for the 
campaign of 1757 ? The reduction of what place was planned? On 
what account were the colonies disappointed ? On what account was 
the expedition abandoned ? 

2. What is said of the indecision of the English, and the victories of 
the French ? What fort did Montcalm reduce, on the north shore of 
Lake George ? Number of the garrison ? Number of Montcalm's 
forces ? Continuance of the siege ? 

3. Defender of the fort ? How was the capitulation shamefully 
broken ? What is said of a New Hampshire corps ? Why were not 
the Indians restrained ? 

Campaign of 1758. 1. What change was made in the British 
administration in 1758? What is said of Pitt? In whose favor did 
the tide of success now turn ? Import of a circular, addressed by Pitt 
to the colonial governors ? What three colonies responded ? How ? 

2. How many expeditions were planned ? 

3. What force was sent against Louisburg ? (5.) What admiral 
commanded the fleet ? Who commanded the army ? Who was under 
him ? When did the fortress surrender ? How many prisoners ? 
What other places fell into the hands of the English ? What is said of 
this loss to France ? 

4. Who succeeded Lord Loudon as commander-in-chief ? What 
expedition did Abercrombie conduct ? How many followed his stan- 
dard ? What was the success of an attack upon Ticonderoga ? What 
was the English loss ? To what was this ill success attributed ? What 
is said of the retreat ? How might a different result have been reached ? 

5. Where did Abercrombie retire ? What fort was soon after taken 
by the English ? Where was this fort ? Ans. Where Kingston now 
stands. (4.) Who conducted the expedition ? What fell into his 
hands ? 

6. What third expedition was contemplated this year ? Where was 
Fort Du Quesne ? (4.) Why was this fort so important ? Who com- 
manded the enterprise ? Force employed ? When did they reach the 
fort ? Why was an attack needless ? To what was the name of the 
place changed ? 

7. What other event bore upon the fortunate issues of the next year ? 
Where was this treaty concluded ? 

Campaign of 175U. 1. What had the campaign of 1759 for its 
object ? How was it proposed to accomplish this ? What were the 
strong-holds of the French in Canada ? Who led the enterprise against 
Ticonderoga ? What other place soon after surrendered ? Who pro 
eeoded against Niagara ? Result of that expedition ? 



QUESTIONS. 381 

2. Who commanded the expedition against Quebec ? At what place 
did he embark ? With what force ? Under what convoy ? Where did 
he land ? (5.) Which way from Quebec? What project did he at 
length decide upon ? Whose suggestion was this ? 

3. Where were the troops transported ? What did Wolfe do, on leav- 
ing the ships ? Did he land at the place he intended ? Why not ? 

4. What was the perpendicular ascent which they climbed ? On 
what plains was the army formed ? Who commanded the French ? 

5. Where was the battle fought ? Describe it. 

6. What two generals fell ? Where was Wolfe wounded ? Who suc- 
ceeded him ? Who succeeded Monckton, and why ? Where was Mont- 
calm when he fell ? Who fell near his side ? 

7. Where did Wolfe die ? Before dying, what did he hear, and what 
did he say ? Which cause was victorious ? Loss of the French ? Loss 
of the English ? Terms of capitulation ? The capture of what place 
Boon followed ? Why did it not terminate the war? 

Campaign of 1760. 1. When did the French attempt to re-take 
Quebec ? Who commanded the French ? Who the English forces ? 
Where was the battle fought ? Which was victorious ? Where did the 
English retreat, to ? How came the French to raise the siege ? 

2. What important fortress still remained in possession of the 
French ? What plan was adopted to take possession of it ? Under 
what circumstances was it surrendered ? The surrender of what other 
places followed ? 

3. How long had this war lasted ? How did the colonies express 
their joy at its termination ? 

4» What is said of Indian outrages, about this time, at the south ? 
Who were these Indians ? What colonies suffered ? When were they 
defeated, and by whom ? When was the treaty signed that closed the 
war ? At what place ? What cessions were made to the British crown ? 

MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS ON PEKIOD III. 

1. For what is Period III. distinguished? With what event does it 
begin ? How long was this after the settlement of Jamestown ? How 
long from the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle ? General cause of this war ? 
In what year did it end ? In what treaty ? What were the provisions 
of the treaty of Paris ? 

2. Between whom was a plan of union adopted, in 1754 ? Where ? 
What did it resemble ? On what day of what month was this plan 
signed ? How long before the Declaration of Independence ? What 
fort was, on that day, surrendered ? How old was Washington when 
first called to public service ? What duty was assigned him ? How 
did he perform it ? 

3. Where was Braddock defeated ? Year, month, and day, of his 
defeat ? How long after the accession of William, Prince of Orange, 
to the throne of England ? after the settlement of Jamestown ? What 
four expeditions were planned in 1755 ? Which were successful ? 
Which otherwise ? Who commanded in that against Nova Scotia r 
that against the French on the Ohio ? against Crown Point ? against 
Niagara? What was the principal expedition of the campaign of 1758 ? 
What was its issue ? What fort was surrendered to the French ? Who 
commanded the French ? Who gallantly defended Fort William 
Henry ? 



382 QUESTIONS. 

4. What change was made in the ministry of England in 1758 1 
What expeditions were planned in 1758 ? Which -were successful ? 
Which otherwise ? Commander of the expedition against Louisburg ? 
against Ticonderoga ? Du Quesne ? What treaty was formed in 1758 ? 
Where ? Influence of it ? 

5. Great object of the campaign of 1759 ? What were the strong- 
holds of the French in Canada ? Which of these was surrendered 
without a battle ? To whom did Niagara surrender ? Who commanded 
the expedition against Quebec ? What do you understand by the Heights 
of Abraham ? For what will these ever be memorable ? What two gen- 
erals here lost their lives ? When was the battle fought ? What did 
this battle decide ? How long was this battle after the Pequot war ? 
after the settlement of Plymouth ? 

PERIOD IV., p. 145. 

For what is Period IV. distinguished ? When did it begin ? When 
terminate ? 

1. In what year did the war of the Revolution begin ? When was the 
first blood shed ? What is said of the occurrence of the Revolution ? 
What did the English statesmen suppose ? 

2. What feelings had the colonists towards the mother country ? 
Might the event have probably been avoided ? By what means ? How 
was it hastened ? Remote and proximate causes of the Revolution ? 
Mention the first. Second, &c. &c. 

3. How many colonies had been planted ? Which were they ? Objects 
proposed in the establishment of these colonies ? 

4. What is said of the love of liberty which prevailed ? 

5. How many forms of government existed ? Which were the char- 
ter governments ? Which were the proprietary ? 

6. What can you mention as evidence that the forms of government 
conduced to independence ? 

7. What did the first principles of the colony then favor ? What is 
Baid of this early spirit of liberty ? 

8. What is said of the neglect of Britain ? What did Parliament pay 
for the colonies ? What did Massachusetts Bay pay ? What Lord 
Baltimore ? What other settlers ? 

9. Conduct of England dui-ing her colonial wars ? What did the 
colonists learn from this neglect ? 

10. What hastened the Revolution more than all other causes ? What 
did these consist of ? 

11. What were writs of assistance ? First application of the kind ? 
What question was raised ? Who appeared for the crown ? Who for 
the merchants ? Judges ? 

12. Who opened the cause ? What did he maintain ? Who followed ? 
Who succeeded him ? Who was present ? What did he say of Otis ? 
What did Otis say ? 

13. What was thought ? What was the decision of the court ? What 
is said of these writs afterwards ? 

14. What is said of taxation before 1763 ? What, if money was 
Wanted ? When was the first revenue act passed by Parliament ? What 
duty was laid ? 

15. Why did not the colonies approve this ? What fundamental law 



QUESTIONS. 383 

did the colonies hold ? What was the hinge upon which the Revolution 
turned ? 

16. In what year was the stamp act passed ? What did this act 
ordain ? 

17. How was the news of its passage received in America ? What 
did Massachusetts recommend ? Who acceded to this ? When did 
these commissioners meet ? Where ? President ? What was their 
declaration ? What did they say of the stamp act ? When did this 
Congress adjourn ? Who approved of their proceedings ? 

18. What is said of stamps when the act came into operation ? What 
had become of them ? What is said of business ? What did printers 
do ? What is said of Canada papers ? Of courts of justice ? Of 
marriages ? 

19. What were sons of liberty ? What was their object ? What is 
Baid of other societies ? What did these societies deny themselves ? 
What did women betake themselves to do ? What eifect had this in 
England ? 

20. What fortunate change took place in England, about this time ? 
What was apparent to Mr. Pitt and his friends ? What act was repealed ? 
What is understood by the declaratory act ? 

21. What famous speech did Mr. Pitt deliver ? What did he declare ? 
How did the people regard him ? How, in the House of Peers, did some 
members wish to do ? 

22. What is said of the repeal of the stamp act ? What, in conse- 
quence of this satisfaction, was revived ? What vote did Massachusetts 
pass ? What action did Virginia take ? 

23. What did the enemies of American liberty intend ? When was 
another plan of taxation introduced ? What other two acts were passed ? 

24. When did these three acts reach America ? What is said of 
them ? How did several of the colonies regard them ? 

25. How was the public excitement soon increased ? What was the 
object of sending these regiments ? Where was the fleet stationed } 
How were the troops disposed of? 

26. What was done the next day ? Where were two field-pieces 
stationed ? How was the state-house occupied ? What other places ? 
What is said of the common ? What of the Lord's day ? 

27. What action was taken by Parliament in regard to those guilty 
of treason ? When was this ? What is said of this measure ? 

28. What bill was introduced into Parliament in 1770? Why was 
tea excepted in that bill ? 

29. What affray occurred in Boston, March 5th, 1770 ? When did 
this quarrel commence ? Between whom ? Who gave the provocation ? 
What took place on the fifth ? How many citizens were killed ? How 
many wounded ? What took place in the town ? How was the com- 
motion settled ? Who was imprisoned ? Result of their trial ? What 
is said of the evening of -that day in subsequent years ? 

30. What fresh obstacle to a reconciliation occui^red in 1772 ? Why 
was this vessel destroyed ? What order was made upon a Providence 
packet ? Upon refusal, what was done ? How did the master of the 
packet manage ? What took place the following night ? For what did 
the governor offer a reward ? What sum ? What was the report of 
commissioners appointed to investigate the offence ? 

31. When were committees of correspondence and inquiry instituted ? 
For what purpose ? Where had this measure its origin ? By meana 



384 QUESTIONS. 

of what meeting ? On learning the proceeding of the house of Mass** 
chusetts, what resolution did the Virginia House of Burgesses adopt J 
How did the other colonial assemblies act, upon the recommendation of 
Virginia ? 

32. Why had little tea been brought into the country for some time 
before 1773 ? Where was the tea Of the East India Company ? What 
bill was introduced into Parliament for their relief ? How would this 
bill affect the price of tea in the colonies ? What duty was paid on this 
tea ? Why ? To what places was tea shipped ? Before its arrival, 
what resolutions had been formed by the inhabitants of those places ? 
What became of the cargo destined for Charleston ? What is said of 
the vessels which brought tea to Philadelphia and New York ? 

33. What was designed by the leading patriots of Boston ? Why 
could they not effect their purpose ? What, resolutions were passed in 
several town-meetings ? What orders were given to the captains of the 
vessels ? 

34. During another meeting of the citizens, what request was made 
of the governor ? What did the governor do ? What secret purpose 
upon this, was formed ? By whom was it executed ? What is said o£ 
the conduct of the citizens, meanwhile ? 

35. What effect had the intelligence of these proceedings in Parlia- 
ment ? What bill, was passed, by way of revenge ? Of what privilege 
did this bill deprive the citizens ? What did the second bill essentially 
alter ? What did a third direct the governor to do ? 

36. On the arrival of these acts, what vote did the town of Boston 
pass ? How did the House of Burgesses, of Virginia, express their sym- 
pathy for the people of Boston ? 

37. Where did the Continental Congress of 1774 convene ? How 
many colonies were represented ? Who was elected president ? who 
secretaiy ? What was agreed upon ? what recommended ? what voted ? 

38. When was an assembly ordered by Governor Gage, of Massa- 
chusetts, to convene ? Why did he countermand this order ? Whevo 
did they meet, and to what place adjourn ? Whom did they choose 
president ? To what place did they adjourn, and what did they do ? 
When did this assembly again meet ? What force did they resolve to 
equip ? Whom to enlist ? To what colonies did they send a request, 
and what was it ? 

39. What is meant by the conciliatory bill ? Who introduced it into 
the House of Lords ? When ? What was its fate ? What bill was 
passed, the following day ? What restrictions were soon after imposed ? 

40. What is said of the measures of which we have given a succinct 
account ? To what were the colonies loudly summoned ? What event 
opened the scene ? 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1T75. 

What were they ? 

1. Who was the royal governor of Massachusetts at this time ? Why 
did he send a body of soldiers to Concord ? Their number ? Principal 
officers ? What measures were taken to prevent the intelligence of this 
expedition reaching the country ? Were these successful ? 

2. When did the enemy reach Lexington ? (2.) Who were assem 
bled ? What did Pitcairn say to them ? What did he then do ? From 
Lexington, whither did the British troops proceed ? What did they 
do at Concoi'd ? (2.) Whither did they now retreat ? What was th« 
eonduct of the Americans ? 



QUESTIONS. 385 

3. When were the British reinforced, and by whom ? Where, how- 
ever, did they retreat ? Loss of the British ? Loss of the Americans ? 
Effect of the intelligence, as it spread ? 

4. What fortresses was it now deemed important to secure ? Who 
conducted the expedition against these fortresses ? What was their 
nuccess ? At what time was Ticonderoga taken ? Who demanded its 
surrender ? In what name ? 

5. What memorable battle soon followed ? Month and day on which 
the battle was fought ? Where was the battle actually fought ? Where 
is that hill ? How many men were sent to fortify Bunker Hill ? (2.) 
What was the result of their labors, by the dawn of day ? When did 
the British discover the redoubt ? How did they attempt to annoy 
♦ nem ? From what hill did the British fire ? What was the conduct 
f f the Americans while thus cannonaded ? Their loss during the fore- 
r<oon ? How many British were sent to attack them ? Under whose 
fommand ? Which commenced firing ? At what distance did the 
Americans return the fire ? Effect of it ? How near did the Ameri- 
cans suffer the British to approach, before they fired the second time ? 
What was the effect of this fire ? What took place on the third charge 
■ S. the British ? 

6. Why were the Americans compelled to retire ? Loss of the British ? 
Loss of the Americans ? What distinguished British officer fell ? What 
distinguished American ? 

7. How were the horrors of the scene greatly increased ? By whose 
orders ? How many persons became houseless by this conflagration ? 
Amount of property destroyed ? Number of houses burnt ? Conse- 
quences of this battle to the Americans ? What did they learn about 
their enemies ? Of what else did they learn the importance ? What 
was the effect of this battle upon the nation ? 

8. When did the second Continental Congress meet ? Where ? Whom 
did Congress choose as commander-in-chief of the armies ? How many 
major-generals were appointed ? Names ? How many brigadier-gen- 
erals ? Names ? 

9. Where and when did Washington take command of the army ? 
(2.) How was he received ? Number of the American army ? Over 
what region were they spread ? What places did the British forces 
occupy ? 

10. To what was the attention of the American commander directed ? 
What expedition was planned against Canada ? To whom assigned ? 
Where is St. Johns? (2.) Who captured it? What other city did 
Montgomery take ? (2.) Whither did he now proceed ? Who was 
waiting to aid him ? Who had sent Arnold ? With how many men ? 
By what route? (2.) What had Arnold done before Montgomery's 
arrival ? 

11. What plan was laid for the reduction of Quebec ? Was the siege 
successful ? What attacks were then made ? Issue of these attacks ? 
What officers fell ? Whither did Arnold retire ? When did Arnold 
leave Canada ? When did the Americans evacuate Canada ? 

12. Who was the royal Governor of Virginia in 1775 ? What was 
the result of his indiscretion ? What is said of the Virginians, in 
respect to the controversy with Great Britain ? How did Dunmore 
attempt to thwart their measures of defence ? What did this conduct 
occasion ? Where did Dunmore retire ? Why ? What was the import 
of his proclamation ? What town did he burn ? Why ? Estimated 

33 



386 QUESTIONS. 

loss of property ? Number of persons deprived of habitations ? Whithe* 
did the royal Governors of North and South Carolina retire ? When did 
the royal government generally terminate ? 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OP 1776. 

What were they ? 

1. In the spring of what year did General Washington attempt to 
expel the British from Boston ? What heights were taken possession 
of and fortified ? What did these heights command ? How many 
Americans were engaged to fortify the heights ? How were the British 
affected when they discovered the works ? What did the English admi- 
ral declare ? What did the British determine upon ? When did the* 
evacuate Boston ? Whither did they retire ? Under whose com 
mand ? 

2. The reduction of what southern city was now devised ? (2.) By 
what forces ? What is said of Charleston ? What fort had been erected ? 
Who commanded it ? What was its force ? When was this fort attacked ? 
By what force ? Length of the bombardment ? Who were repulsed ? 
Loss of the British ? Loss of the Americans ? By means of this repulse 
what states enjoyed a respite from war, and how long ? 

3. Who made the motion for the Declaration of Independence in 
Congress ? When ? For what purpose was a committee raised on tho 
eleventh ? 

4. Who stood first on this committee ? Who second ? Who were 
requested to prepare a draft of the declaration ? Who drew up the 
paper ? What alterations were made in it ? To whom belongs the 
honor of having prepared this declaration ? Who was its great sup- 
porter on the floor of Congress ? What did Mr. Jefferson say of Mr. 
Adams, on one occasion ? What at another time ? 

5. When was the important declaration made ? How was it received 
abroad ? What is said of the ensigns of royalty ? What of public 
processions, &c. ? 

6. What did Washington do, on taking possession of Boston ? Whither 
did he next remove ? Why ? Where did he station his forces ? Number 
of his troops ? 

7. When did the British army return from Halifax ? What island 
did they take possession of ? By whom was General Howe joined ? 
Number of the combined forces ? Where did they land ? What was 
their object ? 

8. What communication did General and Admiral Howe make to 
Washington ? Why did the latter decline it ? What were their 
powers ? 

9. Whom did the British generals next decide to attack ? Who com- 
manded the Americans ? Date of the battle ? Loss of the Americans ? 
Loss of the British ? American generals made prisoners ? Where wag 
Washington ? What is said of him on beholding the slaughter of his 
troops ? Why did he not call in his forces at New York ? 

id Why did Washington evacuate the city of New York ? When 
did the British enter it ? What is said of the retreat of the American 
troops from Long Island ? When was it made ? What circumstances 
prevented the passage ? What change, fortunate for the Americans, 
took place ? What other remarkable circumstance can you mention 
When did the English first discover the retreat of the Americans ? 



QUESTIONS* 387 

11. What place did Washington occupy, on retiring from New lork ? 
Where did he next take post ? What took place at White Plains ? 
Issue of the engagement ? 

12. Who was Captain Nathan Hale ? For what purpose did he vol- 
unteer his services ? On being taken, who ordered him to execution ? 
What was he not allowed ? Last observation ? 

13. Whither did Washington retire from White Plains ? What was 
now the design of the British general ? How did Washington garrison 
Fort Washington and Fort Lee ? Where were these forts ? Who com- 
manded them ? What became of Fort Washington ? What became 
of Fort Lee ? What became of the garrison ? Whither had Washing- 
ton retired ? 

14. From Newark, where did Washington retreat ? Why ? To what 
other places was his retreat continued ? What river did he cross, and 
into what state ? 

15. What circumstances rendered this retreat from New Jersey 
peculiarly trying ? To what number was the American army reduced ? 
What were the accommodations of the soldiers ? What was the con- 
duct of leading characters in New Jersey and Pennsylvania ? What 
prospect presented itself on all sides ? What is said of Washington 
during these times of trial ? 

16. What was the next object aimed at by the British general ? What 
prevented ? How did the British general dispose of four thousand Ger- 
man troops ? Where was the remainder of the British army ? What 
was he waiting for ? 

17. What plan did Washington now decide upon ? How many 
American troops were detached for the service ? When was the Dela- 
ware crossed ? What obstructed the passage ? What further retarded 
their nmrch ? What is said of their surprise of the Hessians ? Number 
of prisoners ? Number killed ? What German officer ? 

18. What is said of the success at Trenton ? (4.) What did Corn- 
wallis do to regain the ground lost ? When did he march out to attack 
Washington ? Where was Washington ? Where did the British 
encamp ? 

19. In the morning, what had become of Washington and his troops ? 
What enterprise had he projected ? What contest ensued ? When did 
Washington leave the main body of the enemy, and whom did he hasten 
forward to attack? Success at Princeton? (4.) What general was 
killed ? What lieutenant was wounded ? 

20. What is said of the victories at Trenton and Princeton ? To 
what winter quarters did the British army retire ? Where the Ameri- 
cans ? (4.) 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OP 1777. 

What were they ? 

1. When did the Marquis de Lafayette arrive ? What was his object ? 
What is said of him ? Through whose influence did the French govern* 
ment favor the Americans ? What did it allow them to do ? 

2. What is said of the people of France ? Of several French officers ? 
At whose expense did the marquis come ? What commission was given 
him ? 

3. What stores were destroyed in Connecticut ? When ? In what 
town ? Number of houses burnt ? Number of persons murdered ? By 



888 QUESTIONS. 

Whom was this party attacked ? Who was mortally wounded ? Where 
did Arnold attack them ? Whither did they retreat ? The loss of the 
British daring this excursion ? How did Congress resolve to honor the 
memory of Wooster ? In what manner was Arnold rewarded ? 

4. Strength of the American army in the spring of 1777 ? On leav- 
ing Morristown, where did Washington take post ? How near to the 
British ? What did General Howe seem intending to do ? Why did he 
not attack Washington r Instead of this, where did he embark ? With 
what force ? 

5. What was the design of Howe ? What movement did Washington 
make to prevent it ? To what point did he advance ? Where did the 
British land ? What did Washington think wise to do ? 

6. Where did the armies meet t Which was obliged to retreat ? To 
what places ? What officers distinguished themselves ? Which was 
wounded ? 

7. What did Congress recommend to Washington ? What pre- 
vented ? Where did Washington retire from Philadelphia ? Where 
is Pottsgrove ? Who entered Philadelphia ? Where were the rest 
of the British stationed ? (2.) To what place did Congress ad- 
journ ? (2.) 

8. What is said of the reduction of some forts on the Delaware ? 
Why was this reduction attempted ? What, meanwhile, did Washing 
ton attack ? Where ? 

9. Date of this action ? Issue of it ? Whither did the British 
remove ? Where did Washington retreat ? Why was he so chagrined 
at the defeat at Germantown ? To what chiefly was this defeat owing ? 
What did Congress express ? 

10. What has been said of Ticonderoga and Crown Point ? What of 
St. Johns ? What of Montreal ? Of Quebec ? What is said of the 
evacuation of Canada ? 

11. What plan was adopted in England, in 1777 ? What would the 
success of such a plan preclude ? To whom was the execution of thia 
plan committed ? Force of Burgoyne ? What important fortress did 
Burgoyne invest, and when ? Number of the garrison ? 

12. What did St. Clair abandon ? Why ? Whither did he retreat? 
Whom did he join ? After this junction, what followed ? 

13. Where did Burgoyne destroy a quantity of military stores ? 
How long did he stay at this place ? To what fort did he then proceed ? 
By whom was his progress impeded ? In what manner ? 

14. In what state is Bennington ? (2.) Whom did Burgoyne send to 
seize stores at that place ? Who commanded them ? Who attacked 
them ? What was the result ? On his arrival at Bennington, what 
did Baum learn ? For what did he send to Burgoyne ? Whither was 
Stark marching when he heard of Baum's approach ? When did the 
battle occur ? Who arrived at a most critical moment ? Was the 
battle now renewed ? How did it end ? Loss of the British ? Loss 
of the Americans ? Effect of the battle at Bennington on the Ameri- 
cans ? Upon Burgoyne ? 

15. What was now the situation of Burgoyne ? What question did 
he find it difficult to settle ? When did he pass the Hudson ? Upon 
what did he advance ? (4.) What engagement occurred on the nine- 
teenth ? What is said of it ? 

1G. When was the battle renewed ? What was the design of Bur 



QUESTIONS. 389 

goyne ? What is said of the battle ? What ended it ? What attempt 
did the royal army make to retreat ? Why did they not proceed ? 
What decision was then formed by a British council of war ? How many 
men were surrendered ? When was this surrender made ? 

17. Whom did Gates depute to carry the tidings to Congress ? What 
did he say on being introduced into the hall of Congress ? 

18. How were the Americans alfected by the surrender of Burgoyne ? 
How was this joy soon after increased ? What treaty was formed, and 
when ? 

19. What is said of the Declaration of Independence ? Did that 
declaration form any real bond of union between the states ? What 
held them together ? What articles did Congres* adopt, and when ? 
By whom was this confederation ratified ? What did it authorize Con- 
gress to do ? What could Congress not do ? What did the states 
reserve ? Consequence of these reservations ? 

20. Where did the British continue, the following winter ? Where 
were the winter quarters of .ne Americans ? Where is Valley Forge ? 
How did the royalists pass the winter ? How the patriots ? 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1778. 

What were they ? 

1. What orders were issued to the British in the spring of 1778 i 
Why ? What did Sir Henry Clinton do, pursuant to this order ? 

2. What did Washington do ? What was his object ? Where did the 
British army encamp ? Where is Monmouth ? (4.) 

3. What order was issued to General Lee ? Upon his declining, to 
whom was the honor tendered ? What, at length, did Lee decide to 
do ? What is said of the morning ? What was greatly needed ? What 
day was it ? 

4. What was the strange conduct of Lee ? On learning the flight of 
Lee, what did Washington do ? What did he demand of Lee ? Who 
rallied the forces ? What did Washington then ask Lee ? What did 
Lee reply ? 

5. Who now did their duty ? How long were the armies engaged ? 
Why did the soldiers greatly suffer ? From what causes did many 
die? 

6. Where did the armies sleep, that night ? What did Washington 
decide to do ? How was he disappointed ? Where did the British pro- 
ceed to ? Where did Washington lead his army ? 

7. Where is Wyoming ? (4.) What took place there in July ? Who 
led the Tories, and who the Indians ? How many inhabitants were 
Blain ? What became of the wives and children ? What is said of 
other settlements ? 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OP 1779. 

What were they ? 

1. When did the Southern States become the principal theatre of war ? 
Which state was attacked first, and why ? 

2. Who, at this time, held possession of Savannah ? What was hia 
garrison ? Who was sent from New York to reduce him ? By whom ? 
With how many men ? What month ? When were the troops landed, 
and what was Howe compelled to do ? 

33* 



390 VtfESTIONS. 

3. Who commanded an expedition against Connecticut ? Whea 1 
How far did Tryon proceed ? What did he do ? Who opposed him ? 
Where ? Relate the story of Putnam's escape. 

4. What other predatory expedition of Tryon can you mention ? 
Where was this ? What city was plundered ? What towns were reduced 
to ashes ? 

5. Where is Stony Point ? (4.) When was this place reduced ? 

6. What is said of this place ? Who conducted the enterprise ? What 
is said of his march ? When did he arrive ? 

7. Where did Wayne form his men ? What did he direct them to do? 
On their arrival, what unexpected obstacle presented itself ? What did 
the English do ? How did the Americans act? Loss of the English ? 
Worthy conduct of the Americans ? 

8. What fleet arrived on the coast of Georgia ? When, and for what 
object ? Who was in command at Savannah ? What had he already 
done ? What unwise grant was made by Lincoln ? 

9. How long did the siege last ? When was an assault made ? 
Result of it ? Who was wounded ? Who mortally ? Loss of the 
Americans? Story of Jasper ? Where did D'Estaing retire ? Where 
Lincoln retreat ? 

10. For what was the campaign of 1770 remarkable ? What is said 
of almost every scheme ? Why ? What is said of the French fleet ? 

11. What more powerful cause existed for their feeble exertions? 
When were bills of credit first issued by Congress ? What was the 
amount of these bills in 1780 ? What was the progress of their depre- 
ciation ? How great was the final depreciation of paper money ? Causes 
of this depreciation ? 

12. What is said of such a currency ? What influence had this cur- 
rency ? On the other hand, what is said of Great Britain ? What did 
Parliament do ? 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1780. 

What were they ? 

1. For what object did Clinton embark for the south, towards the 
close of 1779 ? With how many troops ? Who, at this time, was the 
American commander at Charleston ? When did Clinton commence the 
6iege ? 

2. What British fleet aided ? Who urged Lincoln forward ? What 
was the result of the siege ? To what humiliation were the Americans 
subjected ? When and how was this retaliated ? 

3. What measures were now taken to reestablish royal authority ? 
To what city did Clinton return, after the surrender of the city of 
Charleston ? Whom did he leave in command ? 

4. Who superseded General Lincoln ? Amount of his forco ? Of 
whom composed ? 

5. Who, at this time, commanded on the frontier ? Where did he 
concentrate the royal forces? Who joined them at Camden ? (5.) 
Where did the hostile forces meet ? When ? 

6. What decided the fate of the battle ? What militia threw down 
their arms, and fled ? W r ho followed their example ? What was the 
conduct of the continental troops ? What brave officer fell ? Who was 
De Kalb ? How did Congress honor his memory ? What is said of 
the battle of Camden ? What is added about the British causa ? What 
about the Americans ? 



QUESTIONS. 391 

7. Who invaded New Jersey in June ? With what force ? What was 
their conduct? What bloody act was committed at Connecticut Farms ? 
How was it attempted to be excused ? 

8. How did the inhabitants suffer, in addition to these predatory 
incursions ? Where had Washington encamped, the preceding winter ? 
What name was given to that winter ? What prospect was often before 
Washington ? 

9. What is said of the return of spring ? What report of the state 
of the army did a committee from Congress make to that body ? 

10. What is said of the Americans in the midst of their distresses ? 

11. What force arrived from France, in Rhode Island, in July ? 
Who was the naval commander ? What land force was brought out ? 
Commander of these ? Feelings of the Americans, on this event ? Why 
did not the French assist the Americans ? 

12. Where is West Point ? (4.) How far from New York ? Who 
obtained the command of this fortress in 1780 ? With whom did Arnold 
enter into negotiations to deliver it up ? 

13. Who was the British agent in this negotiation ? What was the 
military rank of Andre ? In what vessel did he ascend the North river ? 
Whom did he meet ? After his interview with Arnold, why did he not 
return in the Vulture ? How was he compelled to return ? 

14. What name did Andre assume ? What passport did he receive ? 
What place did he reach ? (4.) Who arrested him? What conver- 
sation ensued ? 

15. What did he declare himself to be ? What did he offer, to be 
released ? To whom did they conduct him ? How did Arnold effect 
his escape ? Where did he take refuge ? By whom was Andre tried ? 
Who was president ? What was their decision ? 

16. How was Andre regarded by the American army ? What British 
officer endeavored to save him ? What request did Andre make of 
Washington ? Why did Andre prefer being shot to being hung ? 
What effect had Andre's letter upon Washington ? Was his request 
granted ? When did he suffer ? 

17. How were his captors rewarded ? 

18. How was Arnold rewarded ? 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1781. 

What were they ? 

1. What afflicting event occurred early in 1781 ? What was the 
cause of this mutiny ? Where did it occur ? Who inquired into their 
grievances ? What was their report ? What did the mutineers do, upon 
being redressed ? 

2. Who commanded these troops ? In his ardor, what did Wayne 
do ? What did the troops do ? What did they say ? Whither did 
they withdraw ? Who sent agents to induce them to join the British ? 
Hoav did they treat the proposal ? How did they treat the agents ? 

3. In what Southern State did Arnold commit great depredations . 
What were some of the outrages of his troops ? What squadron was 
sent to cut off Arnold's retreat ? Success of their enterprise ? 

4. Who superseded Gates, after the battle of Camden ? What is said 
of Greene as a commander ? How did he compare with Washington ? 
State of the army at this time ? Who were Greene's officers ? What is 
said of them ? 



392 QUESTIONS. 

6. First measure of Greene ? What has been said of it ? Whom did 
it serve to perplex ? 

6. Whom did Cornwallis begin with ? Where was Morgan stationed ? 
(5.) Who was sent to attack him ? With how many men ? What was 
Cornwallis to do ? 

7. What is said of a contest between Morgan and Tarleton ? What is 
Baid of the Americans, on the first onset ? What was done at this criti- 
cal moment ? What had Morgan time to do ? What is said of tha 
achievement ? 

8. On the defeat of Tarleton, what did Cornwallis do ? What dia 
Greene do, as a counter movement ? Toward what court-house did hfl 
march? (5.) 

9. What is said of this undertaking ? Why was it perilous ? What 
rivers did Greene pass in his retreat ? During what month was this 
retreat effected ? With what remarkable interpositions were the Amer- 
icans favored ? 

10. From Guilford court-house, where did Greene proceed ? By 
whom pursued ? What river must they pass ? Who was near at 
hand ? 

11. On reaching the banks, what were rolling before them ? Who 
were stationed in the rear ? Why ? What was announced, about noon ? 
Why had Greene delayed crossing ? 

12. What is said of the last boat ? What of the disappointment of 
the British ? Length of this retreat ? What did Cornwallis here do ? 
Where is Hillsborough ? (5.) 

13. What is said of the strength of Greene's army ? Where did he 
proceed ? When did an engagement take place ? What is said of the 
Carolina militia ? What was Greene compelled to do ? What is said of 
the result ? What did Fox say of the victory ? 

14. Where did Cornwallis retire ? AVhence then did he proceed ? 
Meanwhile, what did Greene decide to do ? What is said of this exper 
iment ? Where did he encamp ? Where was Hobkirk's Hill ? Whert 
were the British strongly intrenched ? 

15. What engagement soon after took place ? Who was the British 
commander ? How were the Americans engaged when attacked ? 
What did they do ? What is said of the Gunby regiment ? 

16. What is said of Greene's attempt to rally them ? With what 
success ? Issue of the battle ? 

17. By what other name is this battle known ? Where, after it, 
did Greene proceed ? Where was Ninety-Six ? How long did he lay 
jsiege to it ? Why did he assault it ? When ? With what success i 

18. Who followed Greene on his retreat ? What did Rawdon then do ? 
Where did the British army take post ? (3.) What became of Rawdon ? 
Whom did he leave in command ? 

19. What American was executed, about this time ? Where ? By 
whom ? Under what circumstances ? 

20. Where did General Greene spend the hot season ? (5.) In Septem- 
ber, what did he do ? What battle occurred ? Who claimed the vic- 
tory ? At the close of the battle, what took place ? 

21. What is said of the battle of Eutaw Springs ? What became of 
the British ? When did they evacuate the city of Charleston ? Who 
entered ? What did the people say ? 

22. What is said of the merit of Greene ? What did Washington say 
ef him ? 



QUESTIONS. 393 

23. What is said of Cornwallis, at page 198 ? What place did he 
reach ? (5.) Whose troops were at Petersburg ? What had become 
of Phillips ? 

24. Whoo had General Washington sent to Virginia ? With what 
force ? For what object ? What orders had been given to Lafayette ? 
What did Lafayette attempt to do ? Did he succeed ? 

25. What was the object of Cornwallis ? What did Lafayette do ? 
Why did he not hazard a contest ? How did Cornwallis employ him- 
self ? Where, at length, did he concentrate his forces ? (5.) What did 
he here do ? (5.) What is said of Gloucester Point ? 

26. What was the object of the campaign of 1781 ? To be aided by 
whom ? In prosecution of this plan, what did the French troops do .' 
Where were Washington's forces concentrated ? (4.) 

27. Why was this plan suddenly changed ? Who now became Wash- 
ington's object ? Where did the combined troops now march ? When 
did they appear before Yorktown ? 

28. What is said of the Count de Grasse ? What had he done ? What 
is said of the French troops ? 

29. What excursion did Arnold make, meanwhile ? Object of this 
expedition ? How was this expedition signalized ? What forts were 
taken and burnt ? (2.) 

30. What is said of the defence of Fort Trumbull ? What ot that of 
Fort Griswold ? Who was inhumanly murdered ? What is » ud of the 
burning of New London ? 

31. Why did not Washington send an expedition after Arnold ? 

32. When did the siege of Yorktown commence ? How was it pur^ 
sued ? What is said of the sixteenth instant ? 

33. What attempt at retreat did Cornwallis make ? Issue of this 
attempt ? When did the capitulation take place ? 

34. How long after the surrender of Cornwallis did Clinton appear 
in view ? Amount of his reinforcement ? Whither did he return, on 
learning the fate of Cornwallis ? To what did Cornwallis impute hia 
fall ? What had Clinton promised him ? Cause of the delay ? 

35. How were the Americans affected by the victory over Cornwallis ? 
What did Congress appoint, on the occasion ? 

36. What event substantially closed the war ? What posts were still 
held by the British ? After the capture of Cornwallis, what indicated 
the continuance of the war ? What became of the French army ? 
Where did Rochambeau, with his army, spend the winter ? To what 
place did the American army retire ? 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1781-3. 

What were they ? 

1. What resolution passed Parliament, 1782 ? 

2. Who succeeded Clinton in command ? What instructions were 
given to Carleton ? Why did Congress refuse to correspond with 
Carleton ? 

3. What did the French court now press upon Congress ? Who were 
appointed ? Who were appointed on the part of Great Britain ? Where 
did they meet ? Date of the provisional articles of peace ? Date of the 
definitive treaty ? From what time had there been no acts of hostility ? 
When was the cessation of hostilities proclaimed to the American army? 
When was Savannah evacuated ? When New York ? Charleston ? 



394 QUESTIONS. 

4. "When was the American army disbanded ? To whom did Wash- 
ington bid an affectionate adieu ? In what words did he bid the army 
adieu ? 

5. To what still more painful separation was Washington soon called ? 
Where did they assemble for this purpose ? With what did he say his 
heart was full ? What wish did he express for them ? In what man- 
ner did he treat each one ? Whither did they follow him ? What wag 
his last adieu ? 

6. When did Washington resign his commission ? Whom did he com- 
mend to Congress ? To whose protection did he commend the interests 
of his country ? 

7. How did Congress express their sense of his wisdom and energy ? 
To whom did President Mifflin, in behalf of Congress, commend the 
interests of the country ? To whom did he commend Washington ? 

8 Whither did Washington retire ? In what character ? 



NAVAL OPERATIONS. 

1. What is said of the naval force of the colonies at the beginning 
of the Revolution ? What soon after did the brave and patriotic do ? 

2. When did the news of the battle of Lexington reach Machias ? (2.) 
What schooner wa^ tying there ? What plan was devised ? What did 
the captain of the - chooner do ? 

3. What is said t the sloop ? What took place ? How many were 
killed ? What is said of this engagement ? 

4. What colonies had provided vessels before the action of Congress ? 

5. When did Congress authorize a regular marine ? Where were 
they to be built ? What were some of their names ? How many thirty- 
two's ? How many twenty-eight's ? How many twenty-four's ? 

6. How many of these got to sea ? Why not all ? What became of 
those which were built ? 

7. What was the title of the commander-in-chief of the navy ? Who 
was he ? What was his pay ? How many captains ? 

8. Describe the flag used. When were our present national coloia 
adopted ? 

9. What is said of our naval officers ? Mention some, of the greatest 
reputation. 

10. What is said of the commanders of privateers ? How many ves- 
sels did they capture ? 

11. What spirited naval actions can you mention ? Which was the 
most remarkable ? 

12. Who commanded the Richard ? Who the Serapis ? When and 
where did the action occur ? By what was it commenced ? What is 
said of the Bon Homme and Serapis, and of the action between them ? 

13. What fire occurred, and which vessel began to sink ? What mis- 
take occurred ? Which vessel surrendered ? Loss of the Richard? Loss 
of the Serapis ? What became of the vessels ? 

14. Describe the Torpedo. Whose invention was it ? In what year ? 
What was its object ? 

15. What did Bushnell attempt by means of a torpedo ? What wai 
his success ? What was the single instance in which he succeeded 
What is said of this mode of warfare, and what is said of Bushnell ? 



QUESTIONS. 395 



NOTES. 

Mannebs. 1. What were the employments of the Americans at the 
Btommencement of the war ? What was their character ? What control 
had repressed every attempt on their part to rise ? 

2. What soon wrought in them a great expansion of character ? 
With whom were they soon qualified to cope ? 

3. What effect had the war upon t'"»eir morals ? What does an army 
always carry in its train ? What effect had the failure of public credit ? 
What became of a high sense of integrity ? 

4. When did Dr. Ramsay write ? What was his declaration ? What 
did he think the friends of public order should do ? 

Religion. 5. What effect had the war upon local prejudices ? Upon 
religious controversies ? 

6. What unhappy principles were sown in the American army, by 
the French ? What was the effect of these principles upon religion ? 
What is said of religious institutions ? What of churches ? What of 
public worship ? What of the clergy ? 

Trade and Commerce. 7. What was the effect of the war upon 
commerce ? What became of the shipping ? 

Agriculture. 8. What was the effect of the war upon agriculture ? 

Arts and Manufactures. 9. What is said of the trade with Eng- 
land ? What of manufactures ? 

Population. 10. Number of inhabitants in 1784 ? What is said of 
the increase of the population during the war ? Why was it so small ? 

Education. 11. Effects of the war upon education ? What is said 
of instruction in several colleges ? Number of colleges and academies 
at the close of this period ? 

Reflections. 12. What is the most interesting event of modern 
times ? Have not changes equally violent often taken place ? But 
what, in the achievement of the American Revolution, is worthy of 
special notice ? What sprang from the blood which was then spilt ? 

13. What has been the general foundation of most governments ? 
How was our independence won ? With what do our annals shine ? 

14. What do we owe to Providence ? What has the American Revo- 
Wicn taught the world ? 



miscellaneous questions on period IV. 

1. For what is Period IV. distinguished ? When does it begin ? 
v 'hen end ? Length ? What battle may be said to have opened the 
wnr ? What closed it ? How long between the battles of Lexington and 
Yorktown ? 

2. What were some of the causes of the Revolution ? How many 
colonies had been planted ? Mention some of the battles fought, between 
those of Lexington and Yorktown. In which battles were the Ameri- 
cans victorious ? When was the battle of Lexington fought ? Was the 
battle of Bennington before or after the taking of Bui-goyne ? 

3. What two fortresses were taken by the Americans in less than a 
month after the battle of Lexington ? When were committees of cor* 
respondence and inquiry appointed in various parts of the country ? 
Object of those? What event happened March 5th, 1770, which 
helped to bring on the war ? 

4. Who commanded the Americans in the battle of Bennington ? 



396 QUESTIONS. 

What do you understand by the Boston Port-T»ill? When did th« 
Congress of 1774 meet ? Who was president of it ? Who secretary ? 
What were the proceedings of that body ? 

5. What act of great heroism do you recollect of General Putnam ? 
Was Washington appointed to the command of the army before or aftei 
the battle of Lexington ? When and where did the first Continental 
Congress meet ? How many colonies were reported ? At the time of 
ihe battle of Bunker Hill, what added greatly to the horror of the 
scene ? In what battle did General Montgomery fall ? Date of the 
evacuation of Boston by the British ? Was this before or after the 
Declaration of Independence ? When was Philadelphia evacuated by 
the British ? 

6. When was the battle of Bunker Hill ? For what was the cam- 
paign of 1779 distinguished ? Who was Benedict Arnold ? What 
fortress did he conspire to deliver up to the British ? What events of 
his life do you remember, before this time ? What after it ? 

7. During the famous retreat of Washington following the battle of 
Long Island, through what plains did he pass ? During this retreat 
what two American forts fell into the hands of the British Where 
were these forts ? What can you relate about him ? What two victories 
soon followed the retreat through New Jersey ? 

8. Where was Stony Point ? What can you relate about an attack 
upon that ? In what year was this ? Who were the principal English 
generals in the American army during the Revolutionary War ? What 
nation assisted the Americans ? What French generals do you recol- 
lect ? What distinguished American generals ? 

9. Of all the American generals, which was the most firm and 
enduring ? Which were characterized for great boldness and courage ? 
Of what general is it said that he managed so well, even when defeated, 
that he reaped nearly the advantage of a victory ? How many turned 
traitors to our country during the Revolutionary War ? 

10. What general was killed in the battle of Camden ? Where is 
Camden ? Who was the American general in the south when Charles- 
ton surrendered ? What two similar transactions took place after the 
surrender of Charleston and after the battle of Yorktown ? 

11. What event substantially closed the Revolutionary War ? In 
what year was there a serious revolt among the American troops ? 
Where ? How many revolted ? What general attempted to quiet 
them ? How was he treated ? Of what remarkable enterprise had 
this general the command ? 

12. When was the American army disbanded ? How long after 
Washington took command of it ? When did Washington resign his 
commission ? Who were the American commissioners who signed the 
treaty of peace ? When was this signed ? 

13. Who supported the Declaration on the floor of Congress with more 
power than any other ? What did Mr. Jefferson say of Mr. Adams ? 
In what way might Great Britain have pi*evanted the Revolution ? 
What was the population of the United States at the close of the war ? 
What effect had the Revolution upon religion ? What infidelity was 
Bpread abroad ? 

14. Who were the Hessians ? When and where was a large body of 
these taken by the Americans ? What victory seemed to turn the tide 
of prosperity in our favor in August, 1777? Who was Sergeant 
Jasper ? Tell his story. In what battle was the heat so great that the 



QUESTIONS. 397 

fongues of the soldiers became so swollen that they could not retain 
them in their mouths ? 

15. What do you recollect of Gloucester Point ? On what occasion 
was General O'Hara the representative of Cornwallis ? What is said 
of our prospects after the first battle of Camden ? Who were Paulding, 
Williams and Van Wert ? Who Count de Grasse ? Who was Colonel 
Ledyard ? What American committed great depredations in Virginia, 
in 1781 ? Who was D'Estaing ? 

16. What outrages did the British commit at Danbury, in 1777 ? 
Who was Charles Townsend ? Where was General Montgomery killed ? 
Where General Wooster ? Baron de Kalb ? General Warren ? Gen- 
eral Mercer ? Which was the first general who fell ? 

17. Relate the particulars of the massacre at Wyoming. When wa3 
the hard winter, and what is said of the sufferings of the American 
army ? What two Americans were executed as spies ? When ? What 
as a commander was the character of General Greene ? What was the 
character of General Wayne ? Who superseded General Lincoln, on the 
fall of Charleston ? 

18. What generals were taken prisoners at the battle of Long Island ? 
Who were the principal generals at the south, under General Greene ? 
Who was General Kniphausen ? Which was the last general engage- 
ment at the south ? In respect to what engagement was it that Fox 
said " another such engagement will ruin the British army " ? 

19. Where was Fort Edward ? Who commanded the English at the 
V>attle of Bennington ? What two officers were wounded at the battle 
of Brandy wine ? What towns in Connecticut suffered during the 
expedition of Arnold ? In what year was this ? When did royal 
government, generally, cease in America ? What were writs of assist- 
ance ? 

20. Who was principally instrumental in procuring the aid of 
France ? What do you understand by the articles of confederation ? 
Which was the most noted naval action during the Revolutionary War ? 

PERIOD V., p. 214. 

For what is Period V. distinguished ? When did it commence ? 
Whsn did it terminate ? Length ? 

1. What is now said of the Revolution ? Of the British troops ? Of 
the American army ? What great object had the colonies accomplished ? 

2. To what had they been looking forward, during the war ? What 
did they soon perceive ? What had they not ? 

3. What had they ? What did the confederation prove ? What 
powers had Congress ? What powers were withheld ? Amount of 
public debt ? What could Congress do, in regard to this debt ? 

4. What was proposed ? What colonies refused assent ? What was 
the consequence ? 

5. What did Congress do ? What did some of the states attempt to 
do ? What did this produce in Massachusetts ? What did the insur- 
gents demand ? By what force was it suppressed ? 

G. At length, what conviction was general ? 

7. When did Virginia recommend a convention ? Where ? Fo* 
what purpose ? Why did it adjourn ? When ? What did it recom- 
mend? How did the colonies respond ? What state refused to appoint 

u 



0*98 QUESTIONS. 

commissioners ? How many members did the convention consist of? 
Who was president ? How did the convention proceed ? 

8. What was the first question discussed ? How was this decided ? 
How long did the session of the convention last ? What was agreed 
on ? To whom was this constitution submitted ? How many ratified 
it? In what manner? What three in 1787? What nine in 1788? 
Which was the last to ratify it ? In what year ? 

9. What did Congress do, at its first session, in regard to amend- 
ments ? To what did these amendments relate ? How many wera 
adopted ? By whom ? How many were subsequently added ? 

10. Who was at once thought of for president ? What were "Wash- 
ington's wishes ? What do you understand by Federalists and Anti- 
Federalists ? Which of these elected Washington ? Who was elected 
vice-president ? 

PERIOD VI., p. 218. 

For what distinguished ? When was Washington inaugurated ? 
When did he retire ? Length of his administration ? Who was the 
first Secretary of State ? Who the first Secretary of the Treasury ? 
Who the first Secretary of War ? Who the first Postmaster-general ? 
Who the first Attorney-general ? Who the first Speaker of the first 
Congress under the constitution ? 

1. Where was General Washington inaugurated ? In whose pres- 
ence ? Who administered the oath ? What did Washington then 
deliver ? What religious sentiment did he introduce into his speech ? 
What religious worship did he and Congress then attend ? What 
example did he set ? 

2. What did the acts and events which signalized his administration 
relate to ? 

I. System op Revenue. W r hat was the first duty of Congress, under 
the constitution ? What duties were laid ? What encouragement given 
to American shipping ? 

11. Regulations of Departments. How many departments were 
created ? Design of them ? How were they styled ? What were their 
heads called ? What did they constitute ? What might the president 
require ? 

III. Establishment of a Judiciary. When was such judiciai'y 
established? What did it consist of? What did the Supreme Court 
consist of? District Courts ? Circuit Courts? What is said of this 
system ? Who was first chief justice ? 

IV. Assumption of Debts. Amount of foreign and domestic debt ? 
Debts of the states ? What did Mr. Hamilton propose, in respect to 
these debts ? What is said of the assumption of foreign debt ? Why 
was the assumption of the domestic debts and state debts opposed ? 
What became of the plan of Mr. Hamilton ? 

V. Removal of Seat of Government. What is said of the debates 
on this subject ? What compromise was effected ? What did it lead 
to ? What was understood ? What did this assumption of debts lay 
the foundation of? What did individuals realize ? What is added ? 

VI. National Bank. What was the next public measure adopted ? 
Who recommended it ? Who opposed it, and why ? Who approved of 
it ? Capital stock ? Duration of its charter ? Location ? What diJ 
this bill and other measures contribute to ' 



QUESTIONS. 399 

VII. Admission op Vermont. 1. When was Vermont admitted ? 
Derivation of the name ? 

2. When was Vermont settled ? Who laid claim to the territory ? 
Who denied the New Hampshire claim ? What did they do in regard 
to the New York claim ? What is the date of the act of admission ? 

VIII. Indian War. 1. When did a war break out, and where ? 
Whom did the president send into that country, and for what purpose ? 
When and where was Harmar routed ? (5.) 

2. Who succeeded Harmar ? When and where was St. Clair defeated ? 
Loss ? 

3. Who was successor to St. Clair ? What fort did he build, and 
near what spot ? What fort did he erect in 1794 ? (5.) What victory 
did he obtain, that summer ? When was this war brought to a close ? 
By what treaty ? What was ceded to the United States ? 

IX. Admission of Kentucky. When was Kentucky admitted ? 
Origin of her name ? First permanent settlement ? When and where ? 
(5.) What is said of the inhabitants during the Revolutionary War ? 
After what time did they enjoy more peace ? 

X. Reelection of Washington. When was Washington reelected ? 
What determination had he previously formed ? Who was elected vice- 
president ? 

XI. Difficulties with France. 1. What is said of the reelection 
of Washington ? What revolution was in progress ? When ? What 
is said of Louis XVI. ? What had the national convention done ? How 
was this revolution regarded in America ? 

2. What was the wish of many Americans in regard to France ? 
What did the cabinet decide ? What proclamation was issued ? What 
did the republic of France do ? What minister did they send ? What 
was the object of Genet ? What did he attempt to do ? What did the 
president solicit of the French republic ? Who succeeded Mr. Genet ? 

XII. Insurrection in Pennsylvania. When was this insurrection ? 
Origin of it ? How was opposition manifested to this taxation ? What 
did the president do ? What became of the insurgents ? 

XIII. Prohibition of the Slave-trade. 1. When did Congress 
prohibit the slave-trade from American ports ? How long had England 
been engaged in the slave-trade ? When were the first slaves intro- 
duced ? How many ? By what ship ? What is said of their increase ? 
Where were they soon found ? Number in 1784 ? Number in 1790 ? 
Who fastened this evil upon the colonies ? 

2. What law was passed in Massachusetts in 1645 ? What in 1703 ? 
What did Virginia attempt as early as 1699 ? What do these acta 
show ? 

3. When did Virginia abolish the traffic by law ? What other states 
before 1789 ? What resolution did the Continental Congress pass ? 
What did the third Congress do ? 

XIV. Jay's Treaty. 1. What is said of the relation between the United 
States and Great Britain ? What were the principal complaints ? What 
other sources of trouble were there ? What became, therefore, more 
probable ? 

2. Who was despatched to the court of St. James ? What did ha 
negotiate ? What were the main features of this treaty ? When was 
this treaty submitted to the Senate ? 

3. What did the Senate advise ? How did the cabinet stand ? How 
the country ? How did the friends of England regard the treaty ? 



400 QUESTIONS. 

What is said of Boston ? What of other cities ? How were Mr Jay 
and Mr. Hamilton and others treated ? What did the president do, not- 
Withstanding ? How did the treaty work ? 

XV. Admission of Tennessee. When was Tennessee admitted ? 
Origin of its name ? In what was it originally included ? To whom 
did it fall ? What did North Carolina do with it ? When was it 
made a territorial government, and by what title ? When first settled, 
and by whom ? 

XVI. Election of Mr. Adams. What political parties sprang up 
during Washington's administration ? Who were at the head of these 
parties ? What is said of the election ? Upon whom did the choice 
fall? 

XVII. Farewell Address. 1. When did Washington's administra- 
tion end ? What is said of his last levee ? 

2. What did his farewell address embody ? What is said of it * 
What is Washington's remark about the union of government ? 

PERIOD Vn., p. 227. 

For what is Period VII. distinguished ? When was Adams inaugu 
rated ? When did he retire ? Length of his administration ? 

1. What is said of the country on the accession of Mr. Adams ? 
What had been done at home ? What is said of the agricultural and 
commercial interests of the country ? What of the western Indians « 
What of England ? What of France ? 

2. What were the principal events of Mr. Adams' administration ? 

1. Difficulties with France. 1. What is said of these difficulties 
after Mr. Adams' accession? What is said of the successors of Mr. 
Genet ? What attempts were made to settle the existing difficulties ? 
What did the French Directory refuse, and what order ? 

2. Whom did Mr. Adams summon, and what did he urge Congress 
to do ? What specific measures, however, were taken ? 

3. What warlike measures did Congress adopt ? Who was appointed 
commander ? What captures were authorized ? What hostile acts were 
committed ? 

II. Treaty with France. Consequence of the bold and decided tone 
of the Americans ? Measures on the part of the president ? What did 
these envoys find, on their arrival at Paris ? What did Bonaparte do ? 
Date of the treaty ? What became of the provisional army ? 

III. Death of Washington. 1. When did the death of Washington 
occur ? Where ? At what age ? What was his complaint ? What 
did he say, in view of death ? 

2. What did Congress do, on the news of his death ? What action 
did they subsequently take, expressive of the national feeling ? 

3. What funeral solemnities took place in Philadelphia ? Who pro 
nounced an oration ? What was done in other places ? 

IV. Removal of the Seat of Government. When was the seat of 
government removed to Washington ? 

V. Election of Mr. Jefferson. 1. What is said of the administra- 
tion of Mr. Adams ? What two measures injured his popularity ? 

2. What did the alien law authorize ? Design of the sedition law , 
What did it impose ? 

3. How did the votes of the electors stand ? Upon whom did thi 
election devolve ? Why ? How did the members of Congress vote ? 



QUESTIONS. 401 

4. How did they proceed ? How did the vote stand, on the first 
fcallot ? How long did this result continue ? What was the result of 
the thirty-sixth balloting ? Who, of course, was vice-president ? 

PERIOD VIII., p. 231. 

For what is Period VIII. distinguished ? When was Mr. Jefferson 
inaugurated ? When did he retire ? Length of his administration ? 

1. What is said of Mr. Jefferson's transfer of lucrative offices ? What 
alterations were made as to internal taxes and the judicial system ? 

2. What were the leading events of Mr. Jefferson's administration ? 

1. Admission of Ohio. When was Ohio admitted into the Union ? 
Derivation of its name ? Her territory, by whom claimed ? What is 
said of the cession of Virginia in 1781 ? Who first began the settle- 
ment of Ohio ? Where and when ? (5.) What retarded the settlement ? 
What, at length, gave a spring to this settlement ? 

II. Purchase of Louisiana. What right had the United States to 
navigate the Mississippi ? What right to the use of New Orleans ? 
When were these rights violated, and by whom ? Consequence of this 
violation ? How was the difficulty settled ? Cost of Louisiana ? When 
transferred ? 

III. Murder of Hamilton. When did the death of Hamilton occur ? 
What caused it ? Why was this duel fought ? What is said of Hamil- 
ton i 

IV. Re-election of Mr. Jefferson. When was Mr. Jefferson 
reelected ? Who became vice-president ? 

V War and Peace with Tripoli. When did this war terminate ? 
In what ? Conditions of the treaty ? 

VI. Conspiracy and Trial of Burr. What project was Colonel Burr 
detected in ? When ? By whom arrested ? Where tried ? On what 
charge ? Result ? 

VII. France and England. 1. What do you understand by the 
carrying trade ? Who enjoyed this trade, and why ? British order in 
council, 1806 ? What effect had this order upon American vessels ? 
Decree of Bonaparte, by way of retaliation ? 

2. How did the British government retaliate ? Effect of this conten- 
tion upon American commerce ? What do you understand by the right 
of search ? Who claimed this right ? 

VIII. Attack on the Chesapeake. 1. When was this attack made ? 
By whom ? Occasion of it ? What did it rouse ? 

2. Why did the Chesapeake strike her colors ? How much damage ? 
What was done with the men claimed ? What proved to be the facts ? 

3. What did the president do, in consequence of this outrage ? What 
instructions were sent to Mr. Monroe ? What further negotiations took 
place ? 

IX. Embargo. When did Congress meet ? What was done by that 
body for defence ? What is said of an embargo ? 

X. Orders in Council. What orders were issued by Great Britain 
to retaliate the French decree of November, 1806 ? 

XI. Milan Decree. What is meant by the Milan Decree ? 

XII. Non-Intercourse. What effect had the embargo ? What sub- 
stitute was recommended for it ? With what proviso ? 

XIII. Election of Mr. Madison. Who succeeded Mr. Jefferson as 
pres : dent ? Who was appointed vice-president ? 

34* 



402 QUESTION'S. 



PERIOD IX., p. 238. 

For what is Period IX. distinguished ? When was Mr. Madison 
inaugurated? When did he retire ? Length of his administration ? 

1. Condition of the United States ? What two powers were still at 
war ? What was the effect of their commercial edicts ? From what 
else was America suffering ? 

2. Why did the president issue his proclamation renewing intercourse 
with Great Britain ? Effect of this measure upon the people ? On 
what account were they soon disappointed ? What proclamation did 
the president soon issue ? 

3. When did Bonaparte issue his Rambouillet decree ? Why ? 
What did it order ? What act passed Congress, May 1st ? What 
did it provide ? When was intercourse with France renewed ? By 
what act ? 

4. Between what vessels did an engagement take place, in 1811 ? 
Which commenced the attack ? What was the decision of a court of 
inquiry, appointed to investigate the affair ? What events signalized 
the year 1811 ? 1812 ? 1813 ? 1814 ? 1815 and 1816 ? 

1. Admission of Louisiana. When was Louisiana admitted into 
the Union ? Origin of its name ? Who first discovered it ? When ? 
Of whom did the United States purchase it, and for how much ? 

II. Battle of Tippecanoe. 1. When was this battle fought ? 
What is said of it ? What is said of Tecumseh and his brother ? 

2. Who was General Harrison ? What treaty did he negotiate ? 
When ? How did Tecumseh like it ? 

3. Where did General Harrison meet these Indians ? What took 
place ? 

III. Declaration of War. When was war declared ? Principal 
grounds of the war ? Who protested against the war ? On what 
grounds ? Force ordered to be raised ? Who was appointed commander 
in-chief ? Brigadiei'S ? 

IV. Surrender of Hull. 1. Who was General Hull ? Where was 
he stationed ? Where is Detroit ? (5.) Against what British post was 
he sent ? With what force ? Where was Maiden ? (5.) 

2. What time did he here waste ? Meanwhile, how was Maiden 
reinforced ? What is said of Mackinaw ? When was this ? 

3. What report served to terrify General Hull ? In consequence of 
this, what did Hull do ? 

4. Who commanded at Maiden ? What did General Brock do ? To 
whom did Hull capitulate ? 

5. Reason assigned for this by Hull ? 

6. What became of Hull ? Charges brought against him ? Where 
was he tried ? What was the decision of the court-martial ? What did 
the president remit ? 

V. Capture of the Guerriere. For what achievements was thi? 
war distinguished ? By whom were they commenced ? What frigate 
did Hull capture ? Which was superior in force ? What was the losi 
of each vessel ? Damage each vessel sustained ? 

VI. Battle of Queenstown. 1. Who was commander-in-chief of 
rur army ? Towards the invasion of what province did he turn hi* 
attention ? Forces collected for this purpose ? How were the A meri 



QUESTIONS. 403 

tan troops distributed ? What division did Harrison command ? What 
Van Rensselaer ? What Dearborn ? 

2. Where did a detachment of American troops attack the British, 
October 13th ? Who commanded them ? How were the American 
forces divided ? Who was early wounded ? Who took the command ? 
Of what did they gain possession ? Who reinforced the fort ? What 
prevented the Americans keeping possession of it ? 

3. Why would not the militia cross the river ? What is said of the 
probable result, if they had done so ? 

VII. Capture of the Frolic. What is said of an engagement 
between the Wasp and Frolic ? How long did the action last ? Off 
what coast was it ? Why was the fire of the Americans so much more 
destructive than that of the British ? By what ship were both cap- 
tured , the same day ? 

VIII. Capture of the Macedonian. 1. What was the next naval 
achievement ? Off what isles ? Comparative damage ? 

2. What act of kindness distinguished the crew of the United 
States ? 

IX. Capture of the Java. What was the second naval victory 
of the Constitution ? Where was the action fought ? Comparative 
loss ? What was done with the Java ? 

X. End of the Campaign. What is said of the campaign of 
1812 ? 

XI. Campaign of 1813. Principal events of this campaign ? What 
is said of the military operations of the campaign ? Location of the 
army of the west ? Commander ? Location of the army of the centre ? 
Commander ? Army of the north ? Commander ? Generals of the 
British forces in Canada ? 

XII. Battle of Frenchtown. 1. Who held possession of Michi- 
gan, in 1813 ? In order to recover it, what did General Harrison 
determine to do ? In pursuance of this plan, where did General Win- 
chester advance? Number and character of his troops? Where is 
Frenchtown ? (5.) Whom did Winchester here rout ? 

2. When, and by whom, was Winchester here attacked ? Result ? 

3. What inhuman butchery was afterwards perpetrated ? 

4. What became of the remains of those who fell ? 

XIII. Capture of the Peacock. What was the result of the action 
between the Hornet and Peacock ? Where was it fought ? Captains 
of these vessels ? What became of the Peacock ? Seamen sunk with 
her ? Generous conduct of the crew of the Hornet ? 

XIV. Re-election of Mr. Madison. When was Mr. Madison 
reelected ? Over what competitor ? Vice-president ? Who succeeded, 
on the death of Clinton ? 

XV. Capture of York. 1. What is York the capital of ? What 
was it the great depository of? When was an attack made upon it by 
the Americans ? Who commanded the land forces ? Who the flotilla ? 
Who opposed the landing ? 

2. Who was intrusted with the command ? What befell him ? What 
Was his dying order ? Number killed by the explosion ? Result ? 

XVI. Siege of Fort Meigs. 1. Who constructed Fort Meigs ? 
Where situated ? After whom called ? By whom was it besieged, in 
May ? The length of the siege ? Issue of it ? Whither did Harrison 
go ? Under whose care did he leave the fort ? What demand was 
made on the third day of the siege I What did Harrison reply I 



404 QUESTIONS. 

2. By whom was Harrison reinforced ? Aided by these, what sortie 
Was made ? Result of it ? Why did the British general raise the 
Biege ? 

3. Who again appeared at Fort Meigs ? When, and with what 
number of troops ? Why did they retire ? Against what fort did they 
proceed ? How was this garrisoned, and who was the commander ? 
To the command to surrender, what did he reply ? What did the 
enemy attempt to do ? What is said of their reception ? 

XVII. Loss of the Chesapeake. What American frigate was 
captured off Boston harbor ? By what frigate ? Who was the com- 
mander of the Chesapeake ? What was his fate ? Under what circum- 
stances did Lawrence fight ? What accident decided the contest ? Last 
heroic order of Lawrence ? 

XVIII. Loss of the Argus. When, and by whom, was the 
Argus captured ? How had she been employed ? Fate of Captain 
Allen ? 

XIX. Capture of the Boxer. By whom was the Boxer cap- 
tured ? Off what coast ? Fate of the captains ? Where were they 
interred ? 

XX. Perry's Victory. When was the naval action on Lake Erie, 
between Commodore Perry and a British fleet ? Force of the Ameri- 
cans ? Force of the British ? Heroic conduct of Perry ? How many 
vessels did he capture ? In what words did he announce his victory ? 

XXI. Battle of the Thames. 1. Why was the victory of Perry 
welcome ? For what was the way now prepared ? What was now the 
first object of Harrison ? What force had he assembled ? On reaching 
Maiden, what did they find ? Whom did they pursue ? What place 
did they take possession of? 

2. Leaving Detroit, whither did they next proceed ? With what 
force ? What battle ensued ? What Indian chief was slain ? What 
did this lead to? What were retaken ? What is said of Tecumseh ? 

XXII. Proposed Invasion of Canada. 1. What did the fall of 
Detroit put an end to ? Whom did Harrison leave at Detroit ? Whither 
did Harrison go, with the remainder of his force ? What prepared the 
way for the invasion of Canada ? 

2. Commander-in-chief at this time ? What was the chief object of 
his instructions ? Forces destined for the accomplishment of these 
purposes ? 

3. What change of plan was ordered by General Armstrong ? What 
prevented its execution ? What is said of Wilkinson and his force ? 
Of Hampton and his force ? Of Harrison and his force ? 

XXIII. End of the Campaign of 1813. What did the end of 
this campaign give rise to ? What is said of public opinion about it ? 

XXIV. Campaign of 1814. Creek War. 1. What Indian war 
distinguished the year 1813 and a part of 1814 ? Who instigated the 
Creeks ? Character of the war ? Commander of the Americans ? Bat- 
tles fought ? (5.) Treaty ? What is said of General Jackson ? Whom 
did he succeed at New Orleans ? 

2. What was the commencement of the Creek war ? What did Gen- 
eral Jackson and General Coffee do ? What place did the Creeks for- 
tify ? What is said of its reduction ? 

3. What put an end to the war ? What is said of the remnant of 
the nation ? What did Weatherford, their leader, say ? 



QUESTIONS. 405 

XXV Chippewa and Bridgewater. 1. What is said of General 
Wilkinson, in the spring of 1814 ? Where did General Brown go ? 

2. What is said of Wilkinson's attack of a stone mill at La Cole ? By 
Whom was he tried ? What did the court-martial do with him ? Who 
Succeeded him ? 

3. What is said of the inactivity of the armies subsequently, and 
why were they inactive ? 

4. In what way was the contest renewed ? What happened at Chip- 
pewa ? (4.) 

5. Where did General Riall retire to ? By whom was he joined ? 
What movement did they make ? Where did the hostile armies meet ? 
What was the result of the battle of Bridgewater ? What generals were 
Wounded ? What did they abandon ? 

6. To what fort did General Ripley return ? Who besieged it ? 
When ? Length of the siege ? Result ? 

XXVI. Capture of Washington. When was an attack made upon 
the city of Washington ? By what British force ? By whom com- 
manded ? Of what disgraceful conduct was Ross guilty ? What was 
burnt with the capitol ? 

XXVII. Defence of Baltimore. By what attack was the capture 
of Washington followed ? Issue of it ? What British general was 
killed ? 

XXVIII. War on the Coast of New England. What is said of 
movements in other quarters ? What of a British fleet on the coast ? 
What is said of Commodore Hardy ? 

XXIX. Engagement on Lake Champlain. 1. When did this 
engagement take place ? What battle at the same time occurred ? 
(4.) Between whom were these contests ? Who were the several 
commanders ? 

2. Which naval force was the superior ? 

3. Length of the engagement ? What fell into the hands of the 
Americans ? 

XXX. Hartford Convention. 1. How did the people of New 
England regard the war ? Which state recommended a convention ? 
Which were represented ? 

2. Where did this convention meet ? Length of their session ? What 
did they suggest ? 

XXXI. Battle of New Orleans. 1. Bate of this battle? (5.) 
Forces employed ? Commanders ? 

2. Result of the attack ? What British generals were killed ? What 
one was wounded ? Loss of the Americans ? Loss of the British ? 

XXXII. Treaty of Ghent. By what was the news of the victory 
of New Orleans soon followed ? When and where was the treaty signed ? 
When ratified ? Upon what subjects was it silent ? For what did it 
provide ? 

XXXin. Treaty with Algiers. 1. What other war was termi- 
nated by treaty, soon after the war with Britain ? Where was it nego- 
tiated ? Agents of the United States ? Who commenced this war ? 
How had peace been preserved with the dey ? 

2. In 1812, what became of the American consul ? Why was Mr. 
Lear dismissed ? What became of several American vessels ? 

3. What action did Congress take upon this ? What squadron was 
despatched ? What was the result of this demonstration ? Who die* 
tated the treaty ? What were the important articles of it ? 



406 QUESTIONS. 

XXXIV. National Bank. When did the former national bank 
expire ? "When was a new bank chartered ? Capital ? Length of ita 
charter ? 

XXXV. Admission of Indiana. "When was Indiana admitted into 
the Union ? Derivation of its name ? Who first settled it ? What is 
Baid of it during the war of 1812 ? 

XXXVI. Who succeeded Mr. Madison ? Who was elected vice- 
president ? 

PERIOD X., p. 259. 

For what is Period X. distinguished ? When was Mr. Monroe inau- 
gurated ? When did he retire ? 

1. What is said of the elevation of Mr. Monroe to the presidency ? 
In what respects was he well qualified for his station ? 

2. What was the condition of the country ? What is said of com- 
merce and manufactures ? What of other departments of industry ? 

3. Principal measures and events of Mr. Monroe's administration ? 

1. Admission of Mississippi. Who first visited the State of Mis- 
sissippi ? What was the region round about called ? Who gave it 
that name ? Who claimed the country ? Where did they begin a 
settlement ? When and to whom did the French cede the country of 
Mississippi ? Who were its owners subsequently ? Who claimed this 
territory afterwards ? What was it called ? When was it erected into 
a territorial government ? When was the Mississippi Territory divided, 
and how ? 

II. Provision for Indigent Officers and Soldiers. Why were 
they left without adequate compensation ? What did they receive ? 
What did they do with these certificates ? What is said of the pur- 
chasers ? When did Congress first make provision for these officers and 
soldiers ? What is said of the subsequent action of Congress on this 
subject ? 

III. Admission of Illinois. When was Illinois admitted into the 
Union ? Derivation of its name ? First settlements, and when ? By 
whom : What is said of the territory, in 1763 ? What in 1783 ? 
What was Illinois originally a part of ? 

IV. Seminole War. 1. Where did the Seminoles live ? (5.) Of 
whom did they consist ? Why were they dissatisfied ? Who fanned 
their resentments ? What order was given to General Gaines ? Effect 
of this order ? 

2. What order was given to General Jackson ? How did he observe 
this order ? 

3. What territory did General Jackson enter ? Upon what Spanish 
fort did he march ? (5.) What did he do here ? Whom did he find at 
St. Marks ? What was done with these men ? What decision did 
General Jackson reverse ? 

4. What did General Jackson next seize ? (1.) What government 
did he establish ? What was thought by the American people of 
General Jackson's conduct ? What action was taken in Congress 
about it ? 

V. Convention with Great Britain. When was this convention 
concluded ? When ratified ? What was the first article ? What did 
the second establish ? What did the fourth article provide for ? 

VI. Cession of Florida. When was Florida ceded to the United 



QUESTIONS. 407 

State? ? By whom ? What sum was to be paid to the citizens of the 
United States, and why ? 

VII. Admission of Alabama. 1. When was Alabama admitted 
into the Union ? Origin of her name ? By whom visited, and when ? 
When settled ? 

2. By whom wao Alabama claimed ? To whom did Georgia cede 
it, and for what sum ? When was Alabama separated from Missis- 
sippi ? 

VIII. Admission op Maine. When was Maine admitted into the 
Union ? Under whose jurisdiction had she been ? 

IX. Be-election of Mr. Monroe. When did Mr. Monroe enter 
upon his second term ? Vice-president ? 

X. Admission of Missouri. 1. Origin of the name ? When 
admitted into the Union ? 

2. First permanent settlements ? What is the capital of the state ? 
(5.) When begun ? Of what was Missouri a part ? To whom was it 
ceded by France ? To whom was it ceded by Spain ? To whom was it 
ceded by this latter power, and when ? 

3. What do you understand by the territory of Orleans ? What did 
that territory become in 1811 ? What did the remaining part of the 
original province of Louisiana become ? What application did Missouri 
make to Congress in 1818-19 ? What bill, growing out of this appli- 
cation, was introduced into Congress ? Which house passed this bill ? 
Which rejected it? When was the bill revived? What compromise 
was effected ? What was Missouri obliged to do, if admitted into the 
Union ? 

XI. Apportionment of Bepresentation. What does the constitu- 
tion provide about representatives ? What has public opinion decided ? 
Number of members of the Congress of 1776 ? Number of that which 
formed the Confederation ? Number of that which formed the consti- 
tution ? Number after the first census ? Number after the second 
census ? Number after the third census ? What was the ratio fixed 
by Congress, of 1822-3 ? Number under this ratio ? 

XII. Visit of Lafayette. 1. When did the marquis arrive i 
Why was he so joyfully greeted ? What is said of him at page 176 ? 

2. Length of his visit ? Number of states visited ? How did he 
return to France ? 

3. Who addressed him, on his departure? Beply of Lafayette ? What 
is said when he left the mansion of the president ? Where did he land, 
and for what purpose ? 

5. What appropriation did Congress make for him, and why ? 

XIII. Election of Mr. Adams. 1. State of the country during 
the presidency of Mr. Monroe ? 

2. What is said on the smbject of his successor ? Who were the can- 
didates, beside Mr. Adam3 ? 

3. What is said of a choice by the electors ? Who were the candi- 
dates in the House of Bepresentatives ? Through whose supposed 
influence was Mr. Adams elected ? 



PEBIOD XI., p. 267. 

For what distinguished ? When was Mr. Adams inaugurated I 
fiThen did he retire ? Vice-president ? 



408 QUESTIONS. 

1. Policy and views of Mr. Adams ? What is said of him ? With 
What was he charged ? What is said of such a bargain ? What was 
unfortunate for Mr. Adams ? Principal measures and events ? 

1. Controversy about Creek Lands. Between whom was this 
controversy ? What Avas the agreement of the United States with 
Georgia ? What did Georgia demand ? Why did not the United States 
purchase the lands ? What, upon this, did the Governor of Georgia 
do ? What did the general government do ? How was the controversy 
at length settled ? 

II. Fiftieth Anniversary of Independence. 1. For what was it 
rendered remarkable ? 

2. What remarkable coincidences in their lives can you mention ? 

III. American System. What do you understand by this phrase ? 
When first employed ? Who has generally opposed the principle of 
protection ? Who favored it ? What is said of the tariif of 1828 ? 

rV. Election of General Jackson. What is said of the admin- 
istration of Mr. Adams ' What were the grounds of complaint against 
him, by his opponents ? How were the candidates treated by their 
opposers ? Which was elected ? 



PERIOD XII., p. 270. 

For what is Period XII. distinguished ? When was General Jackson 
inaugurated ? When did he retire ? Vice-presidents during his 
presidency ? 

1. Condition of the United States on the accession of General Jackson ? 
What can you mention as evidence of this ? 

2. Prominent measures and events of General Jackson's administra- 
tion ? 

1. Removals from Office. 1. What work did General Jackson 
soon commence ? Number of removals, compared with those of his 
predecessors ? What did the opposers of his administration say about 
these removals ? 

2. How did the friends of the president justify his course ? 

3. What did Congress do in relation to these removals ? 

H. National Bank. 1. What did General Jackson say about the 
bank, in his first message ? To whom was the subject referred ? What 
did the committee report ? 

2. When did the friends of the bank ask for a renewal of their char- 
ter ? What did Congress do about it ? What did the president do with 
the bill ? 

3. How was the president's veto regarded ? What was predicted ? 

III. Georgia and the Cherokees. 1. What embarrassing subject 
early engrossed the attention of the administration ? What did 
Georgia do in regard to the Cherokee lands ? What encouraged her 
in so doing ? How did she attempt to enforce her state laws ? Who 
were imprisoned ? 

2. What did the Supreme Court decide, as to the claims of Georgia 
What did they order in regard to the missionaries ? What, upon this, 
did Georgia do ? 

3. When and how was this unpleasant controversy ended ? When 
and by whom, and where to, were the Cherokees removed ? 

IV. Internal Improvements. 1. When were appropriations firs* 



QUESTIONS. 409 

made for internal improvements ? For what objects ? Under what 
administrations was the policy pursued ? How did General Jackson 
regard such appropriations ? How did he prove his opposition ? What 
did Congress do, notwithstanding his vetoes ? 

V. Indian Hostilities. What war occurred in the spring of 1832 ? 
In what territory ? Under what chief ? Who were sent into the 
field ? Issue of the contest ? "What is said of Black Hawk and other 
chiefs ? 

VI. Discontents in Soura Carolina. 1. What were these dis- 
contents, and what did they arise from ? How did South Carolina 
regard the tariff of 1 832 ? What is said of her convention at Columbia ? 
Who were forbidden to force the tariff acts ? 

2 What effect had this upon General Jackson ? What did he do ? 
What is said of his proclamation ? What effect had it upon South 
Carolina ? What did her legislature do ? 

3. What two events occurred which served to allay the rising storm ? 
What did the bill of Mr. Clay provide for ? 

VII. Re-election of General Jackson. AVhen was General Jack- 
son reelected ? Rival candidate ? Vice-president ? 

VIII. Removal of the Deposits. 1. What did the law of 1816 
direct as to the public moneys ? What directions did the president 
give ? On what ground ? What did Mr. Duane refuse ? Who acceded 
to the wishes of the president ? 

2. When did Congress take action on the subject of these removals ? 
What two resolutions were adopted in the Senate ? How did the presi- 
dent regard the latter resolution ? How long did it remain on the 
Senate's journal ? What was then done with it ? 

IX. Death of Lafayette. When and where did the death of 
Lafayette occur ? How did Congress notice the event ? 

X. Deposit and Distribution Act. With whom did Congress 
order the deposit of the public funds ? What did this enable the banks 
to do ? How did they promote a spirit of speculation ? In what way 
did the government suffer ? 

XI. Florida War. 1. Residence of the Seminoles ? (5.) When 
did they commence hostilities ? What incited them to these ? Who 
was their king ? Who their chief warrior ? What did they think of 
removal ? 

2. What is said of this war ? What is said of Osceola ? On what 
account Avas he exasperated ? On getting his liberty, what did he do ? 

3. Where is St. Augustine ? (5.) Where Fort Doane ? What hap- 
pened here in December, 1836 ? What happened at Fort King, about 
the same time ? 

4. Who joined the Seminoles in 1836 ? What took place after this ? 

5. What became of the Creeks ? What is said of the continuance of 
the war ? 

XII. Admission of Arkansas and Michigan. 1. When were these 
admitted into the Union ? 

2. Origin of their names ? Of what was Arkansas originally a part ? 
Of what subsequently ? When Missouri was divided, which part took 
the name of Arkansas ? 

3. Upon what condition was Michigan received into the Union ? 
Between whom had there existed a controversy, and as to what ? 

XIII. Treasury Circular. What was the date of this circular . 

35 



410 QUESTIONS. 

By whom issued ? What did it require ? How was it regarded by the 
people ? 

XIV. Election of Mr. Van Buren. When was Mr. Van Buren 
elected president ? Who became vice-president ? 



PERIOD XHL, p. 279. 

For what is Period XIII. distinguished ? When was Mr. Van Buren 
inaugurated ? When did he retire ? Length ? 

1. What is said of Mr. Van Buren, prior to his elevation ? How had 
he been honored ? When was he born ? What is said of General Jack- 
son's address, on retiring ? 

2. Principal topics to be noticed in Mr. Van Buren's administra- 
tion ? 

1. Condition of the Country. What was the state of the pecu- 
niary affairs of the country, after Mr. Van Buren's accession ? What 
is said of failures in the city of New York ? AVhat of confidence ? 

II. Suspension of Specie Payments. What was Mr. Van Buren 
solicited to do ? What befell the bank, soon after ? 

III. Extra Session of Congress. When did Congress meet? 
What two measures were proposed ? What did the president assign as 
the causes of the pecuniary distress ? 

IV. Resumption of Specie Payments. When were specie pay- 
ments resumed ? What banks again suspended, and when ? Who 
began the suspension, 1886 ? What was required of the banks in 
1837 ? What did these banks induce others to do ? What did some, 
however, predict ? What banks continued the payment of specie ? 

V. Seminole War. 1. What is said of the continuance of this 
War ? 

2. What treaty was effected with the Seminoles ? By whom ? 
What did they stipulate ? Through whose influence was it broken ? 
What was done with the chief ? Why was General Jessup censured 
for this ? What did he plead in justification ? What is said of 
Osceola ? 

3. What is said of the continuance of this war ? Movements of 
Colonel Harney ? 

VI. Internal Improvements. What appropriations were made for 
these ? What were Mr. Van Buren's views of the appropriations ? 
What were these expenditures for ? 

VII. Difficulties in Maine. What were these difficulties about ? 
What seemed likely to result ? Who preserved the public peace • 
What further measures were taken by Congress ? 

VIII. Northern Border Troubles. 1. When did the Canada 
rebellion break out ? Whose sympathies were enlisted ? What nam*, 
did they assume ? What associations form ? Object of these ? 

2. What did a daring party do ? Their number ? With what wen 
they supplied ? Upon what did they fire ? 

3. What was the Caroline ? By whom hired ? For what object 
What befell this steamboat? What befell several men? How werf 
the Americans affected by these movements ? 

IX. Sub-treascry Bill. What do you understand by the sub 
treasury ? What did Mr. Van Buren think of this ? When did Con 
gress adopt it ? 



QUESTIONS. 411 

X. Election of General Harrison. Who were the candidates in 
the canvass of 1840 ? What is said of the friends of Mr. Van Buren ? 
What of the friends of the rival candidates for the presidency ? Who, 
at length, was elected president ? Who vice-president ? 

PERIOD XIV., p. 284. 

For what is Period XIV. distinguished ? When was General Harri- 
son inaugurated ? When did he die ? 

1. What is said of General Harrison's inaugural address ? In con- 
clusion, what did he say ? 

2. What is said of his death ? How did the public regard his 
death ? What honors were paid his memory ? 

3. Who succeeded General Harrison ? 

When did Mr. Tyler assume the government ? When did he retire r 

1. What religious service did President Tyler propose, on the death 
of General Harrison ? 

2. What did Mr. Tyler next do by way of indicating his course of 
policy ? Principal measures and events of his administration ? 

1. Extra Session of Congress. 1. Who had convened Congress? 
When did it meet ? First measure adopted ? Second ? Third? 

2. Great object of the session ? What did the president do in regard 
to two bills ? Consequence of his vetoes ? 

II. Apportionment of Representatives. What is said of the census 
nf 1840 ? What number of inhabitants did it show ? What increase 
over the census of 1830 ? What ratio of increase ? What act passed ? 
Ratio adopted ? 

III. Exploring Expedition. When did this expedition return ? 
Kow long absent ? Distance sailed ? What did they discover ? Sketches 
of natural history brought home ? 

IV. North-eastern Boundary. When and by whom was the 
north-eastern boundary question settled ? 

V. Modification of the Tariff. 1. When was the tariff of 1836 
altered ? Whence are the revenues of government derived ? What is 
aecessary, therefore ? How would one portion of the people limit the 
tariff ? How another portion fix it ? 

2. What was the design of the tariff of 1842 ? What did Congress 
do with the bill ? What the president ? The fate of a second bill ? 

VI. Repeal of the Bankrupt Law. What is said of this law at the 
time it was passed ? Who took advantage of it ? What did this abuse 
of the law lead to ? 

VII. Bunker Hill Monument. 1. When was this monument com- 
pleted ? How was the event celebrated ? Who was present ? Who 
was the orator ? What is said of the scene ? 

2. What sad event soon followed ? Who was Mr. Legare ? What is 
e&id of his sickness ? What of his reputation ? 

VIII. Explosion on Board of the Princeton. When did this ex 
plosion occur ? What distinguished personages were killed ? 

IX. Treaty with China. When was this treaty negotiated ? By 
Whom ? When ratified ? V/hat is said of it ? 

X. Annexation of Texas. How was Texas annexed ? How had it 
been attempted before ? Why not by treaty ? Who favored the mode 
by joiu t resolution ? 



412 QUESTIONS. 

XI. Admission of Florida and Iowa. "When were these admitted ? 
Why and by whom called Florida ? Whence the name Iowa J 

XLL Who were the candidates for the presidency in 1S-45 ? Whc 
was elected ? Who vice-president ? 



PERIOD XV., p. 291. 

For what is Period XT. distinguished ? When was Mr. Polk inaugu- 
rated ? When did he retire ? Length ! "What events and measures 
signalized the administration of Mr. Polk ? 

1. Death of General Jackson. 1. When did his death occur? 
Where? What was his religious belief? 

2. What is sail of him ? What merit was generally accorded him ? 
Who paid a tribute to his memory ? 

II. Admission of Texas. 1. What did President Polk inform Con 
gress in relation to Texas ? What did he say remained to be done ? 

2. What action did Congress take in relation to the admission of 
Texas ? What privilege had Texas ? 

ILL Difficulties with Mexico. 1. What steps did the Mexican min- 
ister take in consequence of the admission of Texas ? How was the 
American minister treated by Mexico ? 

2. What order was issued to General Taylor ? "Who claimed the 
Nueces as their boundary ? Where was Taylor to take post ? (6.) 

IV. Division of Oregon. 1. Who claimed Oregon ? What attempts 
had been made to settle these claims ? What agreement was made in 
1818 ! What in 1S27 ? What did the president recommend in 1S45 ? 

2. When was notice given : What took place before the notice was 
delivered ? Where and by whom were the difficulties settled ? 

3. Northern boundary of Oregon ? How fixed ? What was cedel to 
Great Britain ? How was the settlement of this question regarded ? 

V. Commencement of Hostilities. 1. When did General Taylor 
move from Corpus Christi, and to what point ? (6.) When did he pro- 
ceed from this point ? (6.) What did he leave at Point Isabel ? 

2. What did he do at Matamoras ? What fort did he erect ? Who 
was the Mexican general at Matamoras : What notice did he give 
General Taylor ? 

3. Who succeeded Ampudia ? What did Arista communicate to 
Taylor ? What is said of Captain Thornton and his party ? What of 
Captain Thornton himself? 

VI. Siege of Fort Brown. 1. What intelligence did Taylor receive 
respecting Point Isabel ? What did he deem necessary ? 

2. Who was left in command of the fort ? What instructions did he 
leave behind ? 

3. What is said of an attack upon the fort ? Who was killed ? Who 
was mortally wounded ? Whereupon, what was done ? 

VII . Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. 1. When 
did General Taylor leave Point Isabel ? Why ? With what force ? 
Where did he encamp ? When resume his march ? 

2. What did the army, at length, reach ? Meaning of Palo Alto ' 
What were on either side of the American army ? What beyond 
Wliere were the Mexicans drawn up ? 

3. What soon occurred ? What batteries did great execution 



QUESTIONS. 413 

4. What two brave men were mortally wounded ? What put an end 
to the contest ? How did the Mexicans leave the field ? 

5. When did the American army resume its march ? Where did they 
discover the Mexican army a second time ? Meaning of Resaca de la 
Palma ? 

6. What is said of this battle ? What was captured ? What gen- 
eral ? When was Matamoras taken possession of ? 

7. When did the Mexican government declare war against the 
United States ? Instead of such declaration, what did Congress 
declare ? What did Congress authorize ? 

VIII. Fall of Monterey. 1, What order did the American govern- 
ment give General Taylor ? What place did he take possession of? (6.) 

2. Capital of New Leon? (6.) Distance from Matamoras ? What is 
said of the march of the American army towards it ? 

3. How was Monterey fortified? Who attacked it? Progress of 
the siege ? 

4. When was it surrendered? Number of prisoners? What was 
permitted them ? 

5. What is said of an armistice ? Why did Taylor accede to it ? 
Length of it ? Who terminated it ? 

IX. Proceedings in Congress. 1. What important bill in 1845-46 ? 
What other ? A third ? A fourth ? 

2. Until now, how had the tariff been adjusted ? What alteration 
Was effected by the tariff of 1816 ? What was prognosticated ? 

X. Battle of Buena Vista. 1. Following the capture of Monterey, 
what was done? What did General Taylor take possession of ? (6.) 
Where did General Worth march ? (6.) What did General Wool 
do? (6.) 

2. What intelligence reached General Worth ? Why did he not send 
to General Taylor ? To whom did he send ? 

3. What order was communicated to General Taylor at Victoria ? 
What to General Wool ? What is said of their compliance ? 

4. Whither did General Taylor next move ? Amount of their com- 
bined force ? 

5. When did the army take post ? In whose charge was it ? To 
what point did General Taylor proceed ? For what purpose ? What 
is said of Santa Anna ? 

6. What is the 22d of February memorable for ? What is said of the 
American army ? What summons did Santa Anna send to Taylor ? 
What was the reply of the latter ? 

7. When did the battle of Buena Vista occur ? What is said of the 
contest ? What batteries seem to have decided it ? 

8. What did the Americans intend to do, the next morning ? What 
became of the Americans ? What did they leave behind ? Distin- 
guished American officers who were killed ? 

9. What did the victory of Buena Vista secure ? What became of 
General Taylor ? Whom did he leave in command ? 

XI. Naval Operations. 1. Movement of Commodore Sloat in the 
Pacific ? Movement of Commodore Montgomery ? In what year and 
what months were these movements ? What is said of Commodore 
Stockton and Col. Fremont ? In whose name did Com. Stockton estab- 
lish a government there? (6.) 

2. Operations of the home squadron ? What places were taken ? By 
whom ? 

35* 



414 QUESTIONS. 

XII Army of the West. 1. By whom was this army organized i 
What was it to undertake ? 

2. What fort did General Kearney leave, and when ? Course pur- 
Eued? To what point? (7.) What is Santa Fe the capital of ? When 
did he reach it ? Distance marched ? Space occupied ? 

3. What did he do at New Mexico ? Whence then did he proceed ? 
What information did he soon after receive ? Whose return did he 
order ? What did he then do ? What place did he reach ? Whom did 
he meet ? 

4. What did Kearney now claim ? Whose claims did Stockton advo- 
cate ? What did Kearney now do ? 

5. What is said of the arrest of Fremont, subsequently ? When was 
he tried ? Sentenced ? What did the president offer ? 

XIII. Expedition of Colonel Doniphan. 1. What order did Gen- 
eral Kearney give to Doniphan ? What was Kearney's second order 
to him ? Why this expedition against these Indians ? 

2. How did Doniphan divide his regiment ? What is said of this 
enterprise ? What was his success ? 

3. Towards what did Doniphan next proceed ? Whom did he expect 
to find ? Whom did he encounter ? When and where did he plant his 
standard? (6.) 

4. To what point did Doniphan next march ? When did he reach 
Saltillo ? Why did he proceed to New Orleans ? By what way ? What 
distance did he march ? 

XIV. Reduction of Vera Cruz. 1. Where is Vera Cruz ? (6.) 
Distance from the city of Mexico ? What fortress opposite ? To whom 
was the reduction of these intrusted ? 

2. Force employed ? Rendezvous of the invading army ? When was 
the city invested ? 

3. When was the bombardment begun ? What naval battery was 
employed ? Distance it was transported ? 

4. When was the city surrendered ? Prisoners taken ? American 
officers killed ? 

5. Number of shot and shells thrown by the American batteries ? 
Aggregate weight ? What does a writer say ? 

XV. Battle of Cerro Gordo. 1. What and where is Cerro Gordo ? 
When did the army reach this pass ? What had Santa Anna here 
done ? His force ? Force of the Americans ? 

2. How did General Scott proceed ? When did the battle occur ? 
Number of Mexicans who fell? Number taken prisoners ? 

3. Boast of Santa Anna previous to the battle ? What became of 
him ? 

XVT. Progress of the Army. 1. After the battle of Cerro Gordo, 
what did the army do ? What places were taken possession of ? What 
is said of the fortress of Perote ? 

2. What city next reached ? (6.) Number of its inhabitants ? VQiat 
did General Scott here do ? 

XVII. Contreras — Chururusco. 1. Whither did General Scott 
next move ? When ? Accompanying force ? Numbers left in the 
hospital, and as a garrison ? 

2. What is said of the army the third day after leaving Puebla ? 
What sight burst upon them ? What did they descry to the left ? 
What before them ? What beyond ? 

8. What place did General Twiggs reach on the 11th ? What fortifi 



QUESTIONS. 415 

cation was between this and the city ? Of what did the army take 
advantage ? Where was Antonio ? Where Contreras ? Who occupied 
the last point, and with what force ? When did an engagement here 
take place, and between whom ? 

4. What is said of the contest ? Number of prisoners taken ? 
Number of pieces of artillery ? What is said of two brass six-pounders ? 

5. By what was the victory of Contreras followed ? 

6. What is said of the bravery of the Mexicans ? How many Mexi- 
cans were engaged ? How many prisoners taken ? How many gen- 
erals ? How many other officers ? Numbers killed and wounded ? 
Field-pieces captured ? Loss of the Americans ? 

XVIII. Attempts at Peace. 1. Why did General Scott here halt ? 
Who was commissioned to negotiate a peace ? What was agreed upon ? 

2. Who resumed the prosecution of the war, and why ? What waa 
the first object of General Scott ? 

3. When did the battle of Molinos del Rey occur ? Who commanded 
the Mexicans ? How did the armies compare as to numbers ? Ameri- 
can officers killed or wounded ? 

XIX. Reduction op Chepultepec. 1. What now remained to be 
eecured ? What was Chepultepec ? 

2. What measures did General Scott take to reduce it ? Who struck 
the Mexican flag from the walls, and planted the American standard ? 

XX. Occupation op Mexico. 1. What followed, the next day? 
When was this ? 

2. When and by whom were terms of capitulation demanded ? How 
were these demands met ? Who were ordered to move into the city ? 
When did General Scott take formal possession of it ? What took place 
en the 16th ? What on the 17th, and why ? 

XXI. Treaty. 1. What essentially terminated the war ? What other 
engagements occurred ? 

2. What is said of the Mexicans, following the occupation of their 
city ? What treaty followed ? When was this treaty adopted by the 
American government ? When was the treaty announced by proclama- 
tion ? 

XXII. Death op Mr. Adams. When and where did the death of 
this eminent man occur ? What were the circumstances of his death ? 
How long had he been employed in the service of his country ? What 
was he often denominated ? 

XXIII. Admission of Wisconsin. When was Wisconsin admitted into 
the Union ? 

XXIV. Election of General Taylor. Who were the candidates in 
the canvass of 1848 ? Who were elected president and vice-president ? 



PERIOD XVI. 

For what is Period XVI. distinguished ? When was General Taylor 
inaugurated ? When did he die ? 

Why was General Taylor inaugurated on the 5th of March ? What 
is said of his inaugural address ? What in that did he pledge him- 
Belf to do ? What is said of the measures of his brief administration ? 

I. Death of Mr. Polk. When and where did this event occur > 
When was he born ? How early was he a member of Congress ? What 
were his politics ? 



416 QUESTIONS. 

IL Death op Mr. Calhoun. When and -where did this distinguished 
individual die ? What is said of his career of public service ? How 
long had he been connected with public affairs ? What offices had he 
held, and how had he performed his duty ? 

III. Death of General Taylor. 1. When and where did this able 
soldier and statesman die ? To what was his last sickness owing ? How 
did he meet death ? What were his last words ? 

2. When did Mr. Fillmore assume the government? When did he 
retire ? What does the constitution provide ? When did Mr. Fillmore 
take the oath of office ? What is said of the transfer made in the brief 
space which that service occupied ? What events and measures signal- 
ized the administration of Mr. Fillmore ? 

1. Compromise Bill. 1. What is said of this bill ? By whom was it 
introduced ? Design of it ? 

2. How many questions were there involved in that bill ? What was 
the first? Second? Third? Fourth? Fifth? 

3. What is said of the discussion of these questions prior to the death 
of Gen. Taylor ? To what were northern members opposed ? For what 
were southern members anxious ? How were the people of the United 
States divided ? 

4. What suspended proceedings in Congress ? What ensued after the 
funeral of Gen. Taylor? To whom was the subject referred? Who 
introduced the bill ? What next took place ? Fate of the bill ? 

5. State of the country at this time? What spirit was extending? 
What was admitted, and what demanded ? 

6. What was now introduced into congress ? What was the first bill ? 
Second? Third? Fourth? Fifth? 

II. Death of Mr. Clay. 1. When did his death occur ? Where ? 
Age? Where born ? Whose son was he ? At what age did he lose his 
father ? What is said of his mother ? With whom did he study law ? 
To what state did he remove ? 

2. With what was he soon honored ? What offices did he successively 
hold ? What office under Mr. Adams ? For what office was he several 
times a candidate ? 

3. While in Congress what measures did he advocate ? What is said 
of his eloquence ? When did his constitution receive an irreparable 
shock ? Through what effort ? 

4. When for the last time did he appear in Congress ? Of what disease 
did he die ? What hope did he express ? Of what church was he a 
member ? Where was he buried ? Under whose superintendence? 

5. What is said of his person ? What of his temperament ? Coun 
tenance ? Voice ? Gestures ? Reasoning ? Illustrations ? Quickness 
of perception and rapidity of conclusions ? 

6. When such a man departs, what is delightful to know ? What ia 
said of Mr. Clay in early life ? How did he regard duelling in after 
years ? 

III. Lobos Island Controversy. 1. Where are these islands situated ? 
Distance from the continent ? For what valuable ? 

2. Who claimed them ? Who controverted the validity of this claim ? 
Chiefly for what reasons ? Under this impression, what were American 
citizens assured of? 

3. What did further investigation show ? What acknowledgment was 
made ? In what manner met ? 

IV. Invasion of Cuba. 1. Date of the first Cuban invasion ? Whenc« 



QUESTIONS. 417 

did it sail ? Under whom ? Number of men ? Who were they ? Fate 
of the invaders ? What became of Lopez ? Where was he tried ? What 
became of the captured ? 

2. Date of the second invasion? Number of men engaged? On 
landing, whom did Lopez leave in charge of the stores ? Whither did 
he himself proceed ? With what expectations? Did he realize them? 

3. What became of Col. Crittenden and his force ? Where were they 
executed ? To whom did they write ? Tenor of these letters ? 

4. What became of Lopez ? Where was he executed ? When ? By 
what means did he die ? How did he behave ? 

5. What effect had the news of the execution in the United States ? 
What took place at New Orleans? What did Congress subsequently 
order ? What became of the followers of Lopez ? What was their num- 
ber ? At whose expense did they return to the United States ? 

V. Death of Daniel Webster. 1. What signal event in Mr. Fill- 
more's administration is noticed ? What is said of him ? 

2. Where was Mr. Webster born? When ? What is said of his father? 
What of his mother ? What did she teach him ? 

3. What advantages for early education had he ? When did he go to 
school ? Where ? First instructors ? What academy did he attend ? 
At what age ? What college did he enter ? At what age ? When did 
he graduate ? 

4. What, on leaving college, did he do ? When was he admitted to 
the bar ? Where did he practise ? When remove to Boston ? With 
whom did he there come in contact ? 

5. Of what body was he long a member ? Under whom was he Sec- 
retary of State ? In what years was he mentioned for the presidency ? 

6. When did he last leave Washington ? For what place, and why ? 
What befell him soon after ? Effects of the fall ? When did he die ? 
Whom did he bid farewell ? To whom commend himself and family ? 

7. What monuments of his genius did he leave ? What particular 
speeches had great excellence ? What, perhaps, was his greatest intel- 
lectual achievement ? 

VI. — Presidential Canvass. — Who was nominated for the pres- 
idency by the Whig National Convention in 1852? Who for the vice- 
presidency ? Who for the presidency by the Democratic National Con- 
vention ? Who for the vice-presidency ? 

2. In what month was the election? How were the candidates sup- 
ported ? Who were elected ? 

3. What is said of Mr. Fillmore, who now retired ? What did tha 
country continue to enjoy during his administration ? What did he 
win ? 



GENERAL PROGRESS. 

1. States. 1. Number of colonies at the commencement of th« 
Revolution ? What did these become ? What adopt ? 

2. What states were admitted during the administration of Wash- 
ington ? 

8. How many states since ? 

4. How many territories had been organized ? 

5. Limits of the country in 1800 ? Limits at the present time ? 
Superficial area then ? What is it now ? How does it compare with 
the continent of Europe ? How compare with the Russian empire ? 
How with England ? 

6. What tracts of territory have been added during the present 
sentury ? How were they obtained ? 

II. Government. Since when has a government existed ? Number 
of Congresses ? Extra sessions ? 

III. Presidents. How many presidents have there been ? Name 
them in their order. How many have died ? Which was the oldest ? 
Which the youngest ? How many served eight years ? How many 
four ? Who died in office ? 

IV. Population. 1. Population in 1800 ? In 1850 ? 

2. Number of Indians ? From what states have the Indians been 
removed, and where ? What is said of them ? 

3. Immigration from 1820 to 1840 ? From 1840 to 1850 ? 

V. Personal Appearance. 1. Whom do the inhabitants resemble. 
What blood predominates in New England ? What is said of them ? 
What of their stature ? 

2. What is said of the people of the Middle and Western States ? 
What people predominate there ? What other sorts of people are to be 
found in these states ? 

3. What is said of the people of the South ? What of the negro 
population ? 

VI. Character. 1. What may be said of the character of the people ? 
What of national character ? 

2. Of general traits, what is the first mentioned ? 2 ? 3 ? 4 ? 5 ? 
6? 7? 

3. What is said of these characteristics as applied to New England ? 

4. What is said of her morality and piety ? How is the Sabbath 
regarded ? 



QUESTIONS. 419 

5 What is said of the Middle States ? In what are the people active 
and enterprising ? What is said particularly of the Dutch ? What of 
Friends, Germans, Catholics, &c. ? 

6. What is said of the hospitality and courtesy of the southern 
people ? 

7. Whom do the inhabitants of the Western States resemble ? What 
portion resembles New England ? What portion Virginia ? From what 
was Kentucky settled ? From what Ohio ? Of what compound, then, 
is the character of the Western States ? What has this parentage pro- 
duced ? 

VII. Dress. 1 . Who formerly manufactured their own garments ? 
What is said of the hand-card and spinning-wheel ? What is said of 
the manufacture of yarn ? 

2. How has this family manufacture been superseded ? ^How are 
the people of the United States clothed ? How are they dressed com- 
pared with persons fifty years ago ? The fashions of what cities are 
the most prevalent ? What do the Germans wear ? What the Quakers ? 

VIII. Dwellings. 1. What of the mode of building ? First dwellings 
in new settlements ? Progress in respect to dwellings ? 

2. Where are neat and handsome structures to be found? What is 
said of the residences in the neighborhood of cities ? 

3. What is said of American villages ? 

4. What is said of materials used for dwellings ? Where is wood 
chiefly used ? Where is the Flemish model to be found ? What is 
said of villages in western New York ? Where are stone houses and 
barns to be found ? 

5. Manner of building at the South ? What are the houses composed 
of? 

6. What is said of structures at the West ? How are some towns 
built ? What abounds ? Where does the log-house disappear ? What 
is said of our architecture as compared with England, France and 
Germany ? Causes for this ? 

IX. Food. 1. How are the Americans fed ? What is said of starva- 
tion ? 

2. What is said of the culinary art ? 

3. What is said of fast eating ? 

5. What is said of wheat ? 

6. What is said of the diet of the Middle States ? 

7. What is said of food used in the Southern States ? What of 
garden vegetables ? 

8. What are the two great articles of food in the Western States * 

X. Means of Intercommunication. What is said of facilities fojf 
intercommunication ? What of the use of vehicles ? What of turn- 
pikes ? What of the stage-coach ? 

1. Canals. 1. What is said of canals prior to 1800 ? By what wfil 
they be superseded ? Era of canals in the United States ? 

2. Length of the Erie Canal ? When first opened ? What does it 
connect ? Which state has the greatest number of miles in canals ? 
Who was the great promoter of the canal system ? 

3. Length of the Ohio Canal ? AVhat docs it connect ? When opened ? 
In what respect has the canal the advantage of the railroad ? 

2. Steam Navigation. 1. In what respect has a change taken placa 
in the navigation of rivers, &c. ? 
2. First successful trip of a steamboat ? By whom ? Between what 

'' 



420 QUESTIONS. 

places Distance ? "When ? Time consumed ? What In Maid of kia 
return ? When did Fulton die ? Age ? Speed soon after attained ? 

3. Fh-st steamboat on the western waters ? Length of a voyage of a 
boat from New Orleans to Louisville, in 1817 ? In 1827 ? Distance ? 
Number of boats at the West in 1818 ? Number in 1818 ? 

4. Why was it thought that the ocean could not be safely navigated 
by steamboats ? 

5. First steam vessel that crossed the Atlantic ? Give an account 
of her voyage. 

6. Give an account of a voyage of the Sirius and Great Western. 
What lines of ocean steamboats are now established ? 

7. Length of the voyage of the Mayflower? Ordinary length of 
the voyage of ocean steamers ? How near now is England to the United 
States ? 

3. Railroads. 1. First railroad in the United States ? Where ? 
When finished ? Object of it ? When and where was steam-power first 
used ? 

2. Average cost of railroads in the United States ? In England ? 

3. Extreme speed in England ? In the United States ? How does 
this speed compare with the velocity of a cannon-ball ? 

4. Number of miles of railroad in 1849 ? Aggregate cost ? Number 
of passengers transported in 1850 ? With what is Boston connected ? 
With what is Albany ? With what is New York ? 

5. What is the project of Mr. Whitney ? What plan has Mr. De 
grand ? What is said of a railroad across the isthmus ? 

4. Electro-Magnetic Telegraph. 1. Prior to this invention, by 
what system was intelligence conyeyed ? When adopted ? Distance 
of stations ? When only used ? Where used ? Progress of communi- 
cation ? Annual cost ? 

2. Who constructed the electro-magnetic telegraph ? How came his 
attention directed to the subject ? 

3. When was the practicability of Morse's discovery tested ? Through 
what appropriation? When? How? Number of miles of Morse's 
telegraph in 1852 ? 

4. Rival telegraphs in the United States ? Which is most used ! 
What is said of House's ? 

5. What evidence can you give of the rapidity of transmission ? 
What is said of communication between New York and New Orleans ? 

6. Cost of erecting telegraphs in England ? Cost in the United 
States ? Cost of messages in England ? Cost in America ? 

5. Post-office. 1. By whom were communications sent, in our early 
history ? What fact shows the trouble and expense of early intercom- 
munication ? 

2. What is said of mails between Boston and New York ? 

3. Rates of postage in 1800 ? Rates in 1852 ? 

6. Newspapers. First newspaper after the landing of the Pilgrims ? 
First religious newspaper in the United States ? Second ? 

XI. Inventions — Arts — Manufactures. 1. What is said of the 
inventive genius of the Americans ? How has this genius been stimu 
lated ? 

2. Patent office, when opened ? Number of patents in Massachu 
^tjtts? Number in Connecticut? Number in South Carolina? In 
Georgia ? What do these facts show ? Whole number issued ? What 
do the greatest K-niber relate to ? And what the least ? 



QUESTIONS. 421 

3. The three most important inventions of the last half-century ! 
When was the cotton-gin patented ? When did Mr. Whitney die ? 
Bales of cotton shipped before the cotton-gin came into use ? Annual 
product now ? 

4. Hourly number of impressions on the hand-press ? Number by 
Mr. Hoe's recently invented cylinder press ? 

5. Manufactures prior to the Revolution ? Saying of Lord Chatham > 
Manufactures during the Revolution ? Since ? 

6. Power-loom, where and when introduced ? When and where the 
jenny and broad-loom ? Who discovered the application of India rub- 
ber to cloth ? When ? 

7. What other important discovery is here alluded to ? What effect 
has ether, when inhaled ? 

8. What is said of the use of sulphuric ether or chloroform ? Which 
of these is to be preferred ? Why ? 

9. What is said of engraving, sculpture and painting ? What names 
of eminent sculptors can you mention ? 

10. Eminent painters, during the last half-century ? What is said 
of West ? What of Allston ? 

XII. Agriculture. 1. What is said of agriculture ? Which states 
are chiefly agricultural ? Which are considerably manufacturing ? 
Proportion of inhabitants who follow agricultural pursuits ? 

2. What is said of agricultural chemistry ? What two individuals 
have done vast good by their experiments ? Who have made similar 
investigations ? 

3. What has been done in Europe and America by way of agricul- 
tural education ? 

XIII. Trade and Commerce. 1. What is said of trade and commerce 
in the United States during the last half-century ? What does it con- 
sist in ? Principal articles of exportation ? 

2. Who are the great carriers of these exports ? Proportion of ship- 
ping belonging to them ? What part owned by states south of the 
Potomac ? Staple articles, the growth of what states ? How are they 
carried ? How sent to foreign countries ? What is said of cotton 
shipped from New Orleans ? What country receives the largest ship- 
ments ? What countries next the British dominions ? 

3. Goods received in return ? What from Great Britain ? What 
from France ? From China ? From Russia ? From the East and 
West Indies ? From whence do wines come ? Brandy ? 

4. What is imported from California ? What, however, has become 
of this gold ? 

5. When was the first shipment of ice made ? By whom ? To what 
place ? First profitable shipments, when and where to ? First ship- 
ment to the East Indies ? 

6. Amount shipped in 1847 to southern ports ? To foreign ports ? 
How many vessels did it require ? Aggregate value ? In what is it 
packed ? 

XIV. Education. 1. What is said of early attention to the education 
of children and youth ? What principle is being adopted in reference 
to schools ? 

2. What is said of infant, Lancasterian and manual-labor schools ? 
What of female seminaries ? Where are normal schools established ? 
Where is the largest ? 

3. Colleges ? Number of colleges in the United States in 1800 ? 

36 



422 QUESTIONS. 

Number now ? Which have the most extensive libraries ? What is 
said of the preliminary studies ? 

4. Number of theological institutions ? Law schools ? Medical 
Fchools ? What is said of the military academy ? What of the naval 
academy ? 

XV. Charitable Educational Institutions. 1. What is said of 
them ? Who was the founder of Sabbath-schools ? When and where 
did Raikes found the first Sabbath-school ? When did he die ? 

2. When was a similar school gathered in Philadelphia ? What is 
said to have been the first Sabbath-school in America ? In what state ? 

3. Institutions for Deaf Mutes. When and where was the first 
institution of the kind opened ? What is it called ? In what did it 
have its origin ? Where did Mr. Gallaudet qualify himself ? Number 
of such institutions now ? 

4. Institutions for the Blind. Number of these established * 
What was the first called ? Superintendent ? 

5. Lunatic Asylums. Oldest institutions of this kind ? Number 
now existing ? What lady has contributed much to the establish 
ment of insane institutions ? In what way ? 

6. Instruction of Idiots. Where has such instruction been com- 
menced ? Number of idiots in Massachusetts ? Result of the experi- 
ment thus far ? 

XVI. Religion. 1. Principal religious denominations in the United 
States ? What is said of other denominations ? 

2. What is said of irreligion and infidelity? What are we ia 
danger of ? What do the exigencies of the church require ? 



QUESTIONS ON THE CONSTITUTION 



PREAMBLE. 



For what objects did the people of the United States adopt a consti- 
tution ? 

ARTICLE I. 

Section I. In whom does the constitution vest all legislative powers ? 
Of whom does this Congress consist ? 

Section II. 1. Who chooses representatives ? How often ? Quali- 
fications of electors of representatives ? 

2. Age of a representative ? How long must he have been a citizen 
of the United States ? Of what state an inhabitant ? 

3. How are representatives and direct taxes to be apportioned among 
the several states ? How are their respective numbers to be determined ? 
When was the first census or enumeration to be made ? How often 
afterwards ? How many inhabitants could send one representative ? 
Suppose a state had less than thirty thousand ? Which state at first 
sent the greatest number of representatives ? How many ? Which 
states sent eight ? Which six ? Which five ? Which four ? Which 
three ? Which two ? Which one ? 

4. How are vacancies filled ? 

5. Speaker and other officers of the house, by whom chosen ? Who 
has the sole power of impeachment ? 

Section III. 1. Of whom is the Senate composed ? How chosen ? 
For what time ? How many votes has each senator ? Have not the 
large states more senators than the small states ? Have the small 
states, then, the same power, in passing or rejecting a bill, as the large 
states ? 

2. Into how many classes are the senators divided ? When are the 
seats of the first class vacated ? When those of the second ? When 
those of the third ? How often, then, is one- third chosen ? What 
advantage is there in this arrangement ? How are vacancies which 
occur during the recess of a legislature filled ? How long does such 
senator hold his office ? 

3. Age of a senator ? How long a citizen of the United States ? How 
long an inhabitant of the state ? 

4. Who presides in the Senate ? What vote has he ? 

5. Other officers of the Senate, by whom chosen ? What is a pres- 
ident pro tempore ? What duties may devolve upon him ? 

6. Who tries impeachments ? Who would preside, were the Presi- 
dent of the United States to be impeached ? Majority necessary to a 
conviction ? 

7. Suppose a person convicted, to what might the penalty extend ? 
To what the convicted party be further liable ? 

Section IV. 1. Who prescribes the times, places and manner, of 



424 QUESTIONS. 

holding elections for senators and representatives ? But what powei 
has Congress in relation to such regulations ? 

2. How often does Congress assemble ? When ? 

Section V. 1 . In respect to what- does each house judge ? What 
number makes a quorum ? Meaning of quorum ? Who may adjourn 
from day to day ? What else may they do ? 

2. What rules may each house adopt ? How many members can 
expel a member ? 

3. What is said of a journal of proceedings ? What of publishing it ? 
When are the yeas and nays to be entered on the journal ? 

4. What is said of adjournment ? 

Section VI. 1. What compensation do members of Congress receive ? 
How paid ? In what cases are they exempted from arrest ? For what 
may they not be questioned ? 

2. What is said of members of Congress holding any civil office ? 
Suppose a person holds an office under the United States, what then ? 

Section VII. 1. In which house must revenue bills be originated ? 
But what may the Senate do ? 

2. What must the President of the United States do, in order that a 
bill may become a law ? Suppose he does not approve of it, what does 
he do ? What does the house then do ? In order to pass the bill, 
what number is required ? To whom is it then sent ? When does it 
become a law ? What further must be done ? Within what time 
must a president return a bill ? Suppose he does not return it within, 
ten days ? 

3. What is necessary that an order, resolution or vote, of the two 
houses, may take effect ? Suppose the president disapproves of s>uch 
order, resolution, or vote ? 

Section VIII. What power has Congress in regard, 1. To taxes, 
duties, imports and excises ? To payment of debts ? But what must 
be uniform ? 2. As to borrowing money ? 3. Regulating commerce ? 
4. Naturalization ? Bankruptcies ? 5. Coining money ? 6. Counter- 
feiting ? 7. Post-offices ? 8. Progress of science and useful arts ? 
9. Piracies? 10. Declaring war? 11. Armies? 12. Navy? 13. 
Land and naval forces ? 14. Suppression of insurrections ? Repel- 
ling invasions ? 15. Organizing armies and disciplining the militia? 
16. Exercising exclusive legislation over seat of government, and all 
places purchased for the erection of forts, &c. ? 

Section IX. 1. What power had Congress in regard to immigrants 
into the country, prior to 1808 ? What tax might be imposed ? 

2. What is said of the writ of habeas corpus ? 

3. What of bills of attainder or ex post facto law ? 

4. Capitation or direct taxes, how to be laid ? 

5. What is said of duties on articles exported from any state ? What 
of preferences ? What of vessels from one state to another ? 

6. When may money be drawn from the treasury ? What statement 
must be published ? 

7. What is said of titles of nobility ? What of persons holding offices 
of trust accepting presents ? 

Section X. 1. What may individual states not do ? 

2. What are individual states prohibited, as to imposts or duties ? 
What exception is made ? To whom does the real produce of all dutiot 
and imposts belong ? What further are the states prohibited i 



QUESTIONS. 42D 



ARTICLE n. 

Section I. 1. In -whom is the executive power vested ? Duration 
>f his office ? 

2. By whom chosen ? Who chooses the electors ? Number in each 
state ? Who may not be an elector ? 

3. When do they meet ? Number of persons voted for ? What list 
do they make out ? To whom are they transmitted ? By whom, and 
before whom, are these votes counted ? What number elects ? When 
must the House of Representatives choose a president ? How ? Sup- 
pose no one has a majority, what is done ? How many votes has each 
state ? What constitutes, in this case, a quorum ? How many states 
are necessary to a choice ? Who is vice-president ? When does the 
Senate choose a vice-president ? * 

4. What is said as to the time of choosing the electors, and of the 
day on which the latter shall give their votes ? 

5. Qualifications of a president ? Age ? How long a resident in the 
United States ? 

6. What are the causes of the disability of a president ? Upon whom, 
in such a case, do his duties devolve ? What power has Congress in 
relation to some one who shall act as president ? 

7. What does the constitution provide in regard to a president's 
salary ? What oath must he take ? 

Section II. 1. How does the president stand related to the army, 
navy and militia ? Whose opinion may he require in writing, and on 
what subjects ? What power has he in respect to reprieves and par- 
dons ? With what exception ? 

2. What power has he in respect to treaties ? To ambassadors ? 
Consuls ? Judges ? 

3. What vacancies can he fill ? Length of such commissions ? 
Section III. Duties of the president in respect to Congress ? When 

may he convene that body ? When adjourn it ? His duty in respect 
to ambassadors ? The execution of the laws ? Whom is he to com- 
mission ? 

Section IV. How may all officers of the government be removed ? 
For what crimes ? 

ARTICLE in. 

Section I. How is the judicial power of the United States vested ? 
Tenure of the judges' office ? Compensation ? 

Section II. 1. To what cases does the judicial power extend ? To 
what controversies ? To what persons ? 

2. In what cases has the Supreme Court original jurisdiction ? In 
What cases has it appellate jurisdiction ? Meaning of appellate ? 

3. Before whom are trials to be held ? Where ? But when the crime 
is not in any State ? 

Section III. 1. What is treason ? How may a person be convicted 
of treason ? 

2. Who may punish treason ? With what limitation ? 
i — — — i i 

* See Art. 12, Sec. I., of amendments, where the mode of choosing a president an<J 
ftce-president is somewhat altered. 



426 QUESTIONS. 



ARTICLE IV. 



Section I. How are public acts, records, and judicial proceedings, 
©f the states, to be treated ? How are they to be proved ? 

Section II. 1. What is said of the privileges of citizens of one state 
in other states ? 

2. Suppose a person charged with crime flees into another state, 
how may he be taken ? 

3. What is provided, in regard to those held to service, who eseape 
from one state into another ? 

Section III. 1. What is said of the admission of new states ? What 
of the formation of new states ? 

2. What power has Congress in respect to the territory or other prop- 
erty belonging to the United States ? 

Section IV. What guarantees does the constitution make to the 
several states ? 

ARTICLE V. 

1. Amendments to the constitution, how proposed ? By whom rati 
fied ? W r ith what proviso ? 

ARTICLE VI. 

1. What debts does the constitution recognize ? 

2. What constitutes the supreme law of the land ? 

3. Who are specially bound to support the constitution ? How I 
What is said of religious tests ? 

ARTICLE Vn. 

1. How many states were required to ratify the constitution, in order 
to its establishment ? Where did the convention meet which framed 
the constitution ? Who was president of it ? When was it adopted ? 
What states ratified it ? Year ? When did it go into operation ? What 
new state joined ? When ? Number of delegates to the convention *' 
How many signed ? Why not all ? 

AMENDMENTS. 

When were amendments proposed ? How many ? Number adopted i 

Art. 1. What is said of an established religion ? What of freedom 
of speech ? Of the press ? Of the right of petition ? 

Art. 2. What is said of the right of the people to keep and bear arms ? 

Art. 3. What of quartering soldiers ? 

Art. 4. What of warrants and seizures ? 

Art. 5. What is said of capital or other infamous crimes ? Except in 
what cases ? What of double trial for the same offence ? What other 
provisions are made for the protection of citizens ? 

Art. 6. What right shall a person accused of crime enjoy ? Where ? 
What shall he be informed of ? With whom confronted ? How obtain 
Witnesses ? And by whom aided ? 

Art. 7. In what suits shall the right of trial by jury be preserved 
What is said of the reexamination of facts tried by a jury ? 

Art. 8. What is said of excessive bail, fines, or punishments ? 

Art. 9. What is said of rights retained by the people ? 

Art. 10. What is further said of powers not delegated ' 

A.RT. 11. How is the judicial power limited ? 



QUESTIONS. 427 

Art. 12. 1. Who elect the president and vice-president ? Where 
must they meet ? May both belong to the same state with themselves ? 
How must they vote ? What lists must be made ? To whom must these 
lists be sent ? Who opens these certificates, or lists ? In whose pres- 
ence ? Who is declared president ? But suppose no one has a majority, 
What number is selected ? Who chooses from these three ? How are 
the votes taken ? How many votes has each state ? How many con- 
stitutes a quorum for this purpose ? What majority is necessary to a 
choice ? Suppose no choice is made by the house before the 4th of 
March, who acts as president ? 

2. Who is declared vice-president ? Suppose no one has a majority, 
who elects a vice-president ? From whom ? What constitutes a quo- 
rum for this pui'pose ? What majority is necessary ? 

3. Who is not eligible to the vice-presidency ? 



QUESTIONS ON THE DECLARATION OP 
INDEPENDENCE. 

Note. — This memorable Declaration, the patriotic work of the Congress of 1776, 
was signed by that body on the 4th of July of that year. The signers were fifty-six 
in number. Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, first moved the question. Mr. Jefferson, 
John Adams, Dr. Franklin, Mr. Sherman, and R. R. Livingston, were appointed a 
committee to prepare the Declaration. The original draft was by Mr. Jefferson. John 
Adams was its great supporter on the floor of Congress. John Hancock's signature 
stands first. Not a single individual of this patriotic band now survives. In the order 
of history, the Declaration should precede the Constitution ; but it was deemed better 
that it should be inserted here, to be learned by the pupil or not, as the teacher may 
decide. The author, however, is of opinion that every child should become acquainted 
with the reasons which induced our ancestors to separate themselves from Great 
Britain. 

When was the Declaration of Independence signed ? By whom ? 
What was their number ? Who moved the question ? Who were 
appointed to prepare a declaration ? Who drafted it ? Who was its 
great supporter ? Whose signature stands first ? Are any of these 
patriotic men now living ? With what should every child become 
acquainted ? 

When are a people justified in dissolving their political connection 
with another people ? Ans. When that people, or their rulers, oppress 
them by manifestly unjust and long-continued abuses and usurpations. 
What, in that case, does a decent respect for the opinions of mankind 
require them to do ? 

What two great truths did the Congress of 1776 hold to be self- 
evident ? What among these rights did they specify ? What is the 
design of government ? From whom are the just powers of govern- 
ment derived ? When is it right to alter or to abolish governments ? 
On what principle should a new government be framed, and its powers 
organized ? Yet what will prudence dictate ? What hitherto haa 
experience shown ? But when is it the right and duty of a people to 
throw off their government ? What is said of the forbearance of the 
colonies ? What of the necessity of a change of government ? What 
Aid Congress declare concerning the history of the then King of Great 



428 QUESTIONS. 

Britain ? Who was he ? Ans. George III. By an appeal to what dij 
the Congress attempt to prove their assertion ? 

To what laws had he refused assent ? 

What laws had he prohibited his governors to pass ? 

What other laws had he refused to pass ? 

What had he done in respect to convening legislative bodies ? 
Why? 

What had he repeatedly dissolved ? Why ? 

What, after such dissolution, had he refused ? What had resulted t 
And to what dangers had the state been exposed ? 

What had he endeavored to prevent ? By what means t 

The admission of what had he obstructed ? How ? 

Upon whom had he made judges dependent ? 

What in respect to new offices and new officers had he done ? 

What in respect to standing armies ? 

What in respect to the military ? 

To a foreign jurisdiction ? 

Bodies of armed troops ? 

How protecting them, and for what ? 

What had he done in regard to trade ? 

In regard to taxes ? 

In regard to trial by jury ? 

Transportation of American citizens ? 

What had been his conduct toward a neighboring province ? 

What had he done : n regard to the colonial charters ? Their most 
valuable laws ? Their powers of government ? 

What in regard to the colonial legislatures ? 

What had he abdicated here, and what had he declared respecting 
the people ? 

What had he done on our seas ? Coasts ? To our towns ? To our 
citizens ? 

What was he then doing in respect to large armies ? And for what 
purpose ? And in what manner ? 

What had he done with those taken captive on the high seas ? 

What insurrections had he excited ? What had he excited the frontier 
Indians to do ? 

What, meanwhile, had the people done by way of redress ? How ? 
How had these petitions been answered ? What was such a prince 
unfit for ? 

How had the colonists treated their British brethren ? Of what had 
they warned them ? Of what had they reminded them ? To what 
appealed ? How conjured them ? To what had they been deaf? To 
what necessity, therefore, were they driven ? 

To whom, therefore, did they appeal ? What did they publish 
and declare ? In whose name, and by whose authority ? From 
what absolved ? And for what had they full powers ? Upon whom 
did they rely ? What did they mutually pledge ? And in support oi 
What ? 



INDEX OF TOPICS. 



PERIOD I. 




PERIOD III. 






Pa^e 




p»#« 


Discoveries, . 


1 


French and Indian War, 


.129 


Columbus, 


9 


Campaign of 1755, . 


133 


John Cabot, . 


15 


" 1756, . 


.136 


Sebastian Cabot, 


15 


" 1757, . 


137 


John Verrazani, . * 


15 


" 1758, . 


.139 


James Cartier, . 


16 


" 1759, . 


141 


Ferdinand De Soto, 


16 


" 1760, 


.143 


Sir Walter Raleigh, . 


17 






Bartholomew Gosnold, 


. 18 


PERIOD IV. 




State of the Country, 


18 






Aborigines, . 


. 19 


War of the Revolution, 


. 145 


Reflections, 


24 


Love of Liberty, 


146 






Forms of Government, 


.146 


PERIOD II. 




Neglect of England, 


147 



Settlements, . . . .25 
Virginia, .... 25 
Massachusetts, . . .35 
Plymouth Colony, . . 36 
Colony of Massachusetts Bay, 43 



Maine, .... 


. 67 


New Hampshire, 
Connecticut, . 


68 
. 71 


Colony of Connecticut, 
New Haven Colony, 
Rhode Island, . 


71 
. 74 

79 


New York, 


. 81 


New Jersey, 
Delaware, 


89 

. 91 


Maryland, 
Pennsylvania, 
Carolinas, .... 


93 

. 96 

100 


North Carolina Colony, 

South Carolina Colony, . 

Georgia, 

Notes, .... 


.101 
103 

. 107 
113 


Manners of the Colonists, 


.113 


Religion, .... 


118 


Trade and Commerce, . 


.121 


Agriculture, 

Arts and Manufactures, 


123 
.124 


Population., 
Education, 


125 

.126 


Reflections, 


127 



Parliamentary Measures of 

Oppression, . . . 147 
Transportation of Ameri- 
cans to England for 
trial, . . . .147 
Restrictions on Commerce, 148 
Prohibition of Manufac- 
tures, .... 148 
Writs of Assistance, . 148 
Unjust Taxation, . . . 149 
Stamp Act, . . . 149 
Arrival of Royal Troops, . 154 
Affray of March 5, 1770, 155 
Destruction of Tea at Bos- 
ton, .... 157 
First Continental Congress, 158 
Massachusetts Provincial 

Assembly, . . . 159 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1775. 

Battle of Lexington, . 160 
Reduction of Ticonderoga, . 161 
Battle of Bunker's Hill, . 162 
Capitulation of St. Johns 

and Montreal, . . 165 
Repulse at Quebec, and 

Death of Montgomery, 166 
Cessation of English Gov- 
ernment in the Colonies, 167 



430 



INDEX OF TOPICS. 



PRINCIPAL EVENTS OP 1776. 

Paje 

Evacuation of Boston, . 1G8 
Defence of Fort Moultrie, . 168 
Declaration of Independence, 170 
Occupation of New York by 

Washington, . . 170 
Arrival of British Troops, .171 
Failure of Negotiations, . 171 
Battle of Long Island, .171 

British Occupation of New 

York 172 

Battle of White Plains, . 172 
Retreat of Washington, . 173 
Surrender of Forts Wash- 
ington and Lee, . . 173 
Victories of Trenton and 
Princeton, . . .175 



PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1777. 



176 



Arrival of Lafayette, 
Assistance rendered by 

France, . . . 176 
Burning of Danbury, . .176 
Rencontre at Ridgefield, . 176 
Battle of Brandy wine, .177 
Occupation of Philadelphia, 177 
Battle of Germantown, . 177 
Invasion of Burgoyne, . 178 
Battle of Bennington, . 179 

Battles of Saratoga and 

Stillwater, . . .180 
Surrender of Burgoyne, . 180 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OP 1778. 

Evacuation of Philadelphia, 182 
Battle of Monmouth, . .183 
Massacre of Wyoming, . 183 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1779. 

Surrender of Savannah to 
the British, . . .184 

Predatory Excursion of Gen- 
eral Tryon, . . .184 

Expedition of Tryon to parts 
of Connecticut, . . 184 

Reduction of Stony Point, . 185 

Failure of Attempt to Recap- 
ture Savannah, . . 186 

Depreciation of Paper Cur- 
rency, .... 187 



PRINCIPAL EVENT2 OF -780- 

Pagi 

Capitulation of Charleston, 188 
Battle of Camden, . . 188 
Wanton Conduct of the Brit- 
ish, .... 189 
Suffering of the American 

Army, . . . .189 
Arrival of French Fleet and 

Troops, . . .190 
Treachery of Arnold, . .190 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1781. 

Revolt of Pennsylvania 

Troops, . . . .191 
Depredations of Arnold in 

Virginia, . . .196 
Battle of Cowpens, . .196 
Remarkable Retreat of Gen- 
eral Greene, . . .197 
Engagement at Guilford 

Court-house, . .198 
Battle of Hobkirk's Hill, .198 
Battle of Ninety-Six, . 199 
Execution of Hayne, . . 199 
Battle of Eutaw Springs, 200 
Recovery of Charleston, . 200 
Arnold's Expedition against 

New London, . . .202 
Siege of Yorktown, and Sur- 
render of Cornwallis, . 203 

PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF 1731—3. 

Appointment of Peace Com- 
missioners, . . . 204 
Cessation of Hostilities, . 205 
Farewell Orders of Washing- 
ton, 205 

Adieu to his Officers, . 206 
Resignation of his Commis- 
sion, .... 206 
History of the Naval Opera- 
tions during the Ameri- 
can Revolution, . . 207 
Notes upon American 

Revolution, . . . 210 
Manners, .... 210 
Trade and Commerce, . 211 
Agriculture, . . . .211 
Arts and Manufactures, . 212 
Population, . . . .212 
Education, . . .212 
Reflections, .... 212 



INDEX OF TOPICS. 



431 



PERIOD V. 



Pa?e 



Formation and Establish- 
ment of the Federal 
Constitution, . . 214 

PERIOD VI. 

Washington's Administra- 
tion, .... 218 
System of Revenue, . . 219 
Regulation of Departments, 219 
Establishment of a Judici- 
ary, 219 

Assumption of Debts, . 220 
Removal of Seat of Govern- 
ment, . . . .220 
National Bank, . . 221 
Admission of Vermont, . 221 
Indian War, . . .221 
Admission of Kentucky, . 222 
Reelection of Washington, 222 
Difficulties with France, . 222 
Insurrection in Pennsyl- 
vania, .... 228 
Prohibition of the Slave- 
trade, .... 224 
Jay's Treaty, . . . 225 
Admission of Tennessee, . 226 
Election of Mr. Adams, . 226 
Washington's Farewell Ad- 
dress, . . . .226 

PERIOD VII. 

Adams' Administration, . 227 
Difficulties with France, . 228 
Treaty with France, . . 228 
Death of Washington, . 229 
Removal of the Seat of Gov- 
ernment, . . . 230 
Election of Mr. Jefferson, . 230 
Alien and Sedition Laws, 230 

PERIOD VIII. 

Jefferson's Administration, 231 
Admission of Ohio, . . 232 
Purchase of Louisiana, . 232 
Murder of Hamilton, . .232 
Reelection of Jefferson, . 233 
War and Peace with Tripoli, 233 
Conspiracy and Trial of 

Burr, . . . .234 
War between France and 
England, and Berlin 
Decree, .... 235 



Attack of the Chesapeake, 
Embargo, .... 
Orders in Council, 
Milan Decree, . 
Non-intercourse, . 
Election of Mr. Madison, 

PERIOD IX. 

Madison's Administration, . 
Admission of Louisiana, . 
Battle of Tippecanoe, . 
Declaration of War, . 
Surrender of Hull, 
Capture of the Guerriere, 
Battle of Queenstown, . 
Capture of the Frolic, 

" " " Macedonian, 
" " Java, . 
Battle of French town, 
Capture of the Peacock, 
Reelection of Madison, . 
Capture of York, . 
Siege of Fort Meigs, 
Loss of the Chesapeake, 

« «« « Argus, . 
Capture of the Boxer, . 
Perry's Victory, 
Battle of the Thames, . 
Proposed Invasion of 

Canada, 
Creek War, . 
Chippewa and Bridgewater, 
Capture of Washington, 
Defence of Baltimore, 
Engagement on Lake Cham- 
plain, . . . . 
War on the Coast of New 

England, 
Hartford Convention, . 
Battle of New Orleans, . 
Treaty of Ghent, . . . 
Treaty with Algiers, 
National Bank, 
Admission of Indiana, 
Election of Mr. Monroe, 

PERIOD X. 



235 

236 
236 
237 
237 
237 



238 
240 
240 
241 
242 
243 
243 
244 
244 
245 
246 
246 
247 
247 
247 
248 
249 
249 
249 
250 

250 
251 
252 
253 
254 

254 

254 
256 
256 
257 
257 
258 
258 
258 



Monroe's Administration, . 259 
Admission of Mississippi, 260 
Provision for Indigent Of- 
ficers, . . . ,260 
Admission of Illinois, • 261 



432 



INDEX OF TOPICS. 



Page 

Seminole War, . . . 261 
Convention with Great Bri- 
tain, .... 263 
Cession of Florida, . . 263 
Admission of Alabama, . 263 
" Maine, . . 263 
Reelection of Monroe, . 264 
Admission of Missouri, . 264 
Apportionment of Repre- 
sentatives, . . ' . 264 
Visit of Lafayette, . . 265 
Election of Mr. J. Q. Adams, 266 

PERIOD XI. 

J. Q. Adams' Administration, 267 
Controversy about Creek 

Lands, .... 268 
Fiftieth Anniversary of In- 
dependence,' . . 268 
Death of John Adams and 

Thomas Jefferson, . 268 

American System, . . 269 
Election of General Jackson, 269 

PERIOD XII. 

Jackson's Administration, . 270 
Removals from Office, . 271 
National Bank, . . .272 
Georgia and the Cherokees, 272 
Internal Improvements, . 273 
Indian Hostilities, . . 274 
Discontent in South Caro- 
lina, . . . .274 
Reelection of Jackson, . 275 
Removal of the Deposits, . 275 
Death of Lafayette, . . 276 
Deposit and Distribution 

Act, 276 

Florida War, . . .276 
Admission of Arkansas and 

Michigan, . . . 277 
Treasury Circular, . . 278 
Election of Mr. Van Buren, 278 

PERIOD XIII. 

Van Buren's Administration, 279 
Condition of the Country, . 280 
Suspension of Specie Pay- 
ments, .... 280 
Extra Session of Congress, 280 
Resumption of Specie Pay- 
ments, .... 281 



Seminole War, . . . 281 
Internal Improvements, . 282 
Difficulties in Maine, . 282 
Border Troubles, . . .282 
Sub-treasury Bill, . . 283 
Election of General Harri- 
son, 283 

PERIOD XIV. 

Harrison and Tyler's 

Administrations, . 284-5 
Extra Session of Congress, . 286 
Apportionment of Repre- 
sentatives, . . . 286 
Exploring Expedition, . 287 

Settlement of North-eastern 

Boundary, . . . 287 
Modification of the Tariff, . 287 
Repeal of Bankrupt Law, 288 
Bunker Hill Monument, . 288 
Explosion on board Steam- 
ship, . . . .288 
Treaty with China, . . 289 
Annexation of Texas, . . 289 
Admission of Florida and 

Iowa, .... 290 
Election of Mr. Polk, . .290 

PERIOD XV. 

Polk's Administration, . 291 
Death of Jackson, . . 292 
Admission of Texas, . 292 
Difficulties with Mexico, . 292 
Division of Oregon, . . 293 
Commencement of Hostil- 
ities, .... 293 
Siege of Fort Brown, . . 294 
Battles of Palo Alto and 

Resaca de la Palma, . 294 

Fall of Monterey, . . 296 

Proceedings of Congress, 297 

Battle of Buena Vista, . 297 

Naval Operations, . . 299 

Army of the West, . . 299 

Expedition of Doniphan, 300 

Reduction of Vera Cruz, . 301 

Battle of Cerro Gordo, . 302 

Progress of the Army, . . 302 

Contreras — Churubusco, 302 

Attempts at Peace, . . 303 

Reduction of Chepultepec, 304 



INDEX OF TOPICS. 



433 



Page 
Occupation of Mexico, . . . 304 
Treaty with Mexico, . . . 305 
Death of J. Q. Adams, . . .306 
Admission of Wisconsin, . . 306 
Election of General Taylor, 306 

PERIOD XVI. 

Taylor's Administration, . 307 

Death of Polk, 308 

" " Calhoun, ... .308 

" " Taylor, 308 

Mr. Fillmore becomes Presi- 
dent, 309 

The Compromise Bill, . . .309 
Death of Henry Clay, ... 310 
Lobos Island Controversy, . 312 

Invasion of Cuba, 312 

Death of Mr. Webster, . . .313 
Presidential Canvass, . . .315 

RETROSPECTIVE VIEW 

Df the Progress of the 
United States for the 
last Half-century, . .316 

States admitted, 316 

Government, 317 



Page 

Presidents, 317 

Population, 318 

Personal Appearance, . . .318 

Character, 318 

Dress, 320 

Dwellings, 321 

Food, 322 

Canals, 324 

Steam Navigation, .... 324 

Railroads, 326 

Electro-magnetic Telegraph, 326 

Post-office, 328 

Newspapers, 328 

Inventions, Arts, Manufac- 
tures, 329 

Agriculture, 331 

Trade and Commerce, . . . 332 
Education — Schools, . . . 333 

Colleges, 334 

Charitable Educational In- 
stitutions, 334 

Institutions for Deaf Mutes, 334 
" "the Blind, . 335 

Lunatic Asylums, 335 

Instruction of Idiots, . . 385 
Religion, 386 



V 



WORCESTER'S 

SERIES OF 

AMERICAN 

SCHOOL DICTIONARIES. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE SERIES. 
WORCESTER'S COMPREHENSIVE DICTIONARY 

A- Comprehensive Pronouncing and Explanatory Diction 
ary of the English Language, with Pronouncing Vocabv 
laries of Classical, Scripture, and Modern Geographical 
Names. By Joseph E. Worcester, LL. D. Enlarged 
Revised Edition, with important additions. 526 pp., 
large 12 mo., containing 67,000 words. 

This Dictionary combines, in a very condensed and cheap form, 
a greater amount of valuable matter than any other similar work. 
It contains, in its various vocabularies, upwards of sixty-seven 
thousand words, many technical terms, and a copious list of such 
words and phrases from foreign languages as are often found in 
English books. — It comprises very full pronouncing vocabu- 
laries of Classical and Scripture Proper Names, and upwards of 
four thousand Modern Geographical Names. The additions 
which have recently been made consist of Abbreviations used in 
Writing and Printing ; Phrases and Quotations from the Latin, 
French, Italian, and Spanish Languages, in general use ; and a 
description of the Principal Deities, Heroes, &c.,of the Fabulous 
History of the Greeks and Romans. This additional matter is not 
only very useful to the general reader, but is of the highest 
importance to children in schools, who have no Classical Diction- 
aries to consult. 

As a Pronouncing Dictionary, it possesses decided advantages 
over all others, the pronunciation of every word being plainly 
marked, not only in the accent, but in the sounds of the vowels, — a 
most important feature in the plan of the work. Every difference 



WORCESTER'S ELEMENTARY DICTIONARY . 

©f pronunciation in our language is presented according to th« 
respective and most eminent authorities. 

The Orthography in the work is that which is authorized by 
the best usage. Innovations which have no sanction from English 
usage, or the prevailing and best usage of this country, have been 
avoided. The vocabulary of words of doubtful or various orthogra 
phy, together with the rules and remarks which accompany them 
comprises nearly all the difficult and doubtful cases in English 
orthography. 

WORCESTER'S ELEMENTARY DICTIONARY. 

An English Dictionary for Common Schools, with Pro- 
nouncing Vocabularies of Classical, Scripture, and Mod- 
ern Geographical Names. By Joseph E. Worcester, 
LL. D. Revised and Enlarged. 360 pp., 12mo., contain- 
ing 44,000 words. 
This work is a reduced form of the Comprehensive Dictionary 

and is especially adapted to the use of common schools. It con 

tains, in its several vocabularies, upwards of 55,000 words. In 

addition to the Dictionary proper, it comprises the following mat 

ters or divisions : — 

1st. A list of such Words and Phrases from Foreign Languages 

as are often found in English books. This is a class of words foi 

the definition and pronunciation of which an English reader often 

wants assistance. 

2d. A short list of Americanisms, or words which are reputed aa 

peculiar to America, and English words which are used in Amer 

ica in a peculiar manner. 

3d. Remarks on Orthography, with a copious vocabulary of 

Words of doubtful or various Orthography. 
4th. Walker's Vocabulary of Greek and Latin Proper Names, 

with large additions from Trollope and Carr. 

5th. Scripture Proper Names, with the pronunciation according 

to Walker and other orthoepists. 

6th. A Vocabulary of Geographical Names, with the pronunci? 

tion given according to the best authorities. 

WORCESTER'S PRIMARY DICTIONARY. 

A Primary Pronouncing Dictionary of the English Lan- 
guage ; with Vocabularies of Classical, Scripture, and 



RECOMMENDATIONS OF WORCESTER S DICTIONARIES. 

Modern Geographical Names. By Joseph E. Worces- 
ter, LL. D. 352 pp., 18mo., containing 41,000 words. 

This little work contains a vocabulary of the common and •well- 
authorized words in the English language. Technical terms, and 
words which are obsolete, provincial, vulgar, or not well author- 
ized, and also a great portion of the compound and derivative 
words of the language, have been omitted, as not necessary or 
suitable in a manual of this kind, which is designed to exhibit the 
correct orthography and pronunciation, together with a concise 
definition, of the common words of the language, such as are 
usually found in the standard works of English literature. 

WORCESTER'S UNIVERSAL AND CRITICAL 
DICTIONARY 

Of the English Language. 1032 pages, 8vo. Containing 
over 100,000 words, and showing in what manner the 
words of various, doubtful, or disputed pronunciation, are 
treated by all the most eminent English orthoepists. 

Recommendations by the highest literary authorities of oui 
country are as follows : — 

The Definitions are clear and exact, and those pertaining tc 
technical and scientific terms are specially valuable to the gen- 
eral reader. The author has evidently bestowed great labor on 
Pronunciation. His system of notation, which is easily under- 
stood, and founded on a more complete analysis of the vowel 
sounds than we have elsewhere met with, together with his plan 
of exhibiting all the best English authorities in relation to words 
differently pronounced by different orthoepists, gives to this work 
important advantages as a Pronouncing Dictionary. In Orthog- 
raphy he has made no arbitrary changes ; but, where usage is 
various and fluctuating, he has aimed to be consistent, and to 
reduce to the same rules words of similar formation. 

"We confidently recommend it as containing an ample and care- 
ful view of the present state of our language. 

Jared Sparks, LL. D., President of Harvard University. 
Sidney Willard, A. M., late Prof, of Hebrew, &c, Har. Uni 
Moses Stuart, D. D., Prof. Sacred Literature, Andover, Mass 
Edwards A. Park, D. D., Abbott Professor of Christian 
Theology, Andover, Mass. 



RECOMMENDATIONS OF WORCESTER'S DICTIONARIES. 

Leonard Woods, Jr., D. D., President of Bowdoin Collego, 
Maine. 

N. Lord, D. D., President of Dartmouth College, New Hamp- 
shire. 

Edward Hitchcock, D. D., LL. D., President of Amherst 
College, Mass. 

Mark Hopkins, D. D., President of Williams College, Mass. 

Edward T. Channing, LL. D.,Boylston Professor of Rhetoric 
and Oratory, Harvard University. 

Henry W. Longfellow, A. M., Professor of Belles Lettres, 
Harvard University. 

Benjamin Hale, D. D., President of Geneva College, New 
York. 

Alonzo Potter, D. D., LL. D., Bishop of Pennsylvania. 

Robley Dunglison, M. D., Professor in Jefferson Medical 
College, Philadelphia. 

Francis Bowen, A. M., Editor of the North American Review. 

Charles Folsom, A. M., Librarian of the Boston Athenaeum. 

Hector Humphrey, D. D., President of St. John's College, 
Maryland. 

David L. Swain, LL. D., President of University of North 
Carolina. 

John McLean, LL. D., Justice United States Supreme Court, 
Ohio. 

Philip Lindsley, LL. D., President of the University of Nash- 
ville, Tenn. 

N. Lawrence Lindsley, A. M., Professor of Ancient Lan- 
guage and Literature, Cumberland University, Tenn. 

We concur fully in the leading portions of the above recommend 

ation, — not having had leisure to examine all the particulars 

referred to. 

Levi Woodbury, LL. D., Justice of United States Supreme 
Court, Mass. 

Eliphalet Nott, D. D., LL. D., President Union College. 

From a general and frequent reference to this Dictionary, in 
constant use, I fully concur in the general merits of the work, and 
regard it as a very valuable aid to science. 

Theodore Frelinghuysen, LL. D., Chancellor of the Uni- 
versity of New York. 

I have used " Worcester's Universal and Critical Dictionary of 
the English Language," in preference to any other, for constant 
reference. 

John Wheeler, D. D., President of University of Vermont. 

The Comprehensive Dictionary is used in the public schools of 
Boston, the Free Academy of New York city, and many othej 



RECOMMENDATIONS OF WORCESTER'S DICTIONARIES, 

places. The Board of Education of New Hampshire have recently 
adopted it for the schools throughout that state. 

Attention is particularly invited to the following recommenda- 
tions from gentlemen who do not lend their names or influence to 
indifferent publications. 

11 This Dictionary exhibits, in its different parts, ample evidence 
of inquiry, careful comparison, and sound judgment. It combines, 
in a very condensed, yet intelligible form, a greater quantity of 
valuable matter than any other similar work ; and as a Pronounc 
mg Dictionary, it possesses decided advantages over all others, b» 
its superior system of notation, and by its exhibition of all tin 
principal authorities respecting words of doubtful and various pro 
nunciation. We do not hesitate to pronounce it, in our judgment 
'he ?nost comprehensive, accurate, and useful compendium within ou 
knowledge." 

Joseph Story, LL. D., Professor Law, Cambridge, Mass. 

Sidney Willard, A. M., Professor Hebrew, Latin, &c.,Cam 
bridge, Mass. 

E. T. Channing, A. M., Professor Rhetoric and Oratory, Cam- 
bridge, Mass. 

John Pickering, LL. D., Boston. 

Wm. Allen, D. D., President Bowdoin College, Maine. 

J. L. Kingsley, LL. D., Professor Latin, Yale College, Conn. 

Alonzo Potter, Professor Rhetoric, Union College, N. York. 

C. Anthon, LL. D., Professor Greek and Latin, Columbia 
College, New York. 

J. P. Gushing, A. M., President Hampden Sidney College, Ya. 

Jasper Adams, D. D., President Charleston College, S. C. 

Alonzo Church, D. D., President University of Georgia. 

Philip Lindsley,D. D., President Nashville University, Tenn. 

Edward Beecher, A. M., President Illinois College. 

David Prentice, LL. D., Professor of Languages, Geneva 
College, New York. 

Peter S. Duponceau, LL. D., Philadelphia, says: — Worces- 
ter's Pronouncing and Explanatory Dictionary contains many val- 
uable improvements on other works of the same kind, which 
makes me consider it as the best Parlor Dictionary now extant. 
I have introduced it into my family, and will not fail to recom- 
mend it to my friends on every occasion. 

Hector Humphrey, D. D., President of St. John's College 
Annapolis, Md., remarks: — Worcester's Dictionary is in oui 
schools, and I should be glad to see it adopted everywhere. I find 
it exceedingly convenient and useful. 
1# 






RECOMMENDATIONS OF WORCESTER'S DICTIONARIES. 

Roblev Dunglison, M. D., Professor in the University of 
Maryland, observes : — 1 have examined this Dictionary with care, 
and am much pleased with the plan and execution. I can have 
no hesitation in awarding to it the merit of being the best adapted 
to the end in view of any that I have examined. It is, in other 
words, the best portable " Pronouncing and Explanatory Diction- 
ary " that I have seen, and as such is deserving of extensive cir- 
culation. 

The American Monthly Review remarks : — That a work of 
this kind was needed, no one who has attended to the subject can 
doubt ; and all who have examined Mr. Worcester's Dictionary, 
and are competent judges of its merits, must be satisfied that much 
has been done to supply a well-known deficiency in regard to books 
of this class. 

Tait's Edinburgh Magazine says, in a notice of a specimen of 
this Dictionary, which was republished in London : — If the work 
possesses the sterling merit of the specimen before us, it will gc 
far to supersede most others at present in common use. 

The Select Journal of Foreign Periodical Literature 
remarks : — No specimen, as is well known by all who have used 
this Dictionary, would give too favorable an impression of its 
completeness and correctness. 

The Boston Daily Advertiser says : — This work has been 
so long before the public, that it has assumed in many circles 
the character of a standard book of reference. Mr. W.'s name is 
a sufficient warrant that the accuracy of the book will be fully 
maintained by the closest examination. 

The Boston School Committee, in their Report for 1851, 
say: *' Instances of mispronunciation also occurred; and on call- 
ing for a Dictionary, none was at hand. A fine edition of Web- 
ster's large work lay on the master's table in another story, but, 
for all practical uses, where it was then wanted, it might as well 
have been in Texas. It is recommended that all the teachers be 
required to have Dictionaries in their several rooms. It is also 
proposed that all the younger pupils be required to have Worces- 
ter's Primary Dictionary, and the more advanced pupils his Com* 
prehensive Pronouncing and Explanatory Dictionary. Thesa 
books are very cheap, and, for the price, are the most valuable 
School Books in the English language." 



RECOMMENDATIONS OF WORCESTER'S DICTIONARIES. 

Mr. William H. Wells, Principal of the Putnam Free School, 
and author of a popular Grammar of the English Language, says : — 
" As a standard of orthography and pronunciation, the compilation 
of Mr. Worcester is far in advance of all other works of its class. 
His exhibition of the elementary sounds of the language surpasses 
even the masterly analysis of Smart. The definitions are copious 
and accurate, and every portion of the work affords evidence of 
the most careful and exact discrimination, and the profoundest 
research." 

Mr. William Russell, formerly editor of the American Jour 
nal of Education, and author of a Series of Reading Books, says : — 
" You are aware that I have, in my compilations on elocution, and 
in my instructions on that subject, uniformly referred to the pre- 
vious Dictionaries of Mr. Worcester as the most accurate and sat- 
isfactory sources of information in their department. The new 
Dictionary I have examined closely, and am daily using it as a 
standard for reference ; and it seems to me the most valuable work 
o{ the kind ever produced in this country. To teachers and stu- 
dents it commends itself by its comparative completeness, its perfect 
fidelity in observing the authority of the best standards, and its 
exactness in detail. Its style, both in orthography and orthoepy, 
conforms strictly to actual living usage, both in this country and in 
England, with the single exception of words of more than one syl- 
lable terminating in the letters or or our, in which Mr. Worcester 
gives the preference to American usage. In my communications 
with teachers, I have been accustomed, for many years, to hear an 
earnest wish expressed for an American Dictionary, free from the 
peculiarities of Webster, and the obsolete extremes of Walker. 
Such a work Mr. Worcester seems to have furnished, and it bids 
fair to be generally adopted as a standard in instruction." 

Mr. D. S. Rowe, Principal of Massachusetts State Normal 
School, Westfield, says : — "I know of no author who has so uni- 
formly exhibited so much good taste and accurate discriminatioo 
in respect to all the departments of lexicography as Dr Worce* 
ter. His book is truly a splendid production." 



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